The Coffee Guide is the world's most extensive, hands-on and neutral source of information on the international coffee trade. It covers trade issues relevant to coffee growers, traders, exporters, transportation companies, certifiers, associations and authorities, and other relevant actors. Many in the coffee industry consider it the go-to reference.
This fourth edition is directly informed by the coffee industry. It has updated technical information on finance, food safety measures, logistics and contracts. It has redefined quality and data segmentation and expanded digitalization coverage and information related to certifications and supply chain legislation. It also gives prime importance to issues like climate change, coffee price volatility, living wage and the inequitable distribution of power, profit and resources across the supply chain. It aims to be informative, useful and inclusive of all sector stakeholders.Coffee is commercially produced in more than 50 countries, and the world drinks upwards of 3 billion cups a day. The annual income of the coffee sector is estimated to exceed $200 billion. While the number of coffee drinkers continues to rise and producers work hard to keep up with demand, the coffee industry is faced today with unprecedented challenges and shifting dynamics that command change and adaptation. Business as usual is no longer an option.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit actors across the coffee value chain hard and fast. Still reeling from the shock, they are pulling together to survive and rebuild in a more sustainable way. The effects of climate change, while certainly not new, are now more visible than ever – especially in producer countries, which are also the most vulnerable.
Environmental, social and economic inequities exist within value chains. Calls for fairer, more ethical systems of trade have become a global priority, shaping consumer trends. Meanwhile, economic developments in some producer countries are changing the geography of consumption and have the world considering new models of trade.
New partnerships, technology and greater participation of women and youth are contributing to a constructive evolution of the coffee industry. They alter the way we produce and consume coffee. This guide explores the main forces driving change in the coffee industry and considers what trends are emerging as a result. It also offers an overview of market dynamics, with the latest data as well as examples and information that equip anyone interested in the sector with the right tools to navigate it
