How much are coffee farmers paid?

by Mike
(Augusta, GA)

QUESTION:

What are farmers paid for the coffee cherry prior to processing to the green bean? If farmers are members of cooperatives, what are the prices they are paid for the green bean?

ANSWER:

Good question. The process of getting coffee from the hands of the farmer into the coffee cups of the consumer is a long and complex chain. Everyone gets a cut of the profits.

But, as you might have already guessed, the farmer gets the smallest cut of all.

In many, if not most coffee-growing regions, coffee farmers barely make enough money to raise their families.

It was in response to this inequality that the Fair Trade coffee movement was started.

With Fair Trade coffee, the coffee farmers receive a minimum of $1.26 a pound. They are also given support to help them improve their farming practices. Most Fair Trade coffee is also organic.

Outside of Fair Trade, coffee farmers may find themselves working for as little as 30 cents a pound.

You can find out more on our price of coffee page...