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Abstract:
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This MA Report explains the impact coffee cooperatives are having on the Ethiopian coffee industry . It analyses how the current multi -billion dollar global coffee industry began in what remains one of the world’s poorest countries , where arabica coffee was discovered sometime before the sixth century . It explains the emergence of coffee cooperatives historically , as well as their present role offering an alternative to the country’s previous reliance on the assistance of Western nongovernmental organizations with their possible negative impact , including arguments they enforced a dependency on Ethiopia that impeded the country’s development . In discussing coffee buyers and coffee consumption , the report focuses on America , although the same points made apply to the vast majority of Western countries .
The report investigates whether cooperatives offer a business model sufficient to achieve self -sustainability for Ethiopian coffee farmers , and discusses how the interaction between and among cooperatives , unions , the Ethiopian government , and specialty coffee buyers in America is enabling Ethiopian coffee to increase its leverage on the international coffee market , generating essential income for the struggling Ethiopian economy .
The report focuses on the following areas : the connection between poverty and linkage to markets ; how coffee travels from smallholding farmers in Ethiopia to be sold in American cities like Austin , Texas ; the emergence of certification systems like Fair Trade to protect farmers and ensure they receive a fair price for their produce , as well as the chain of commerce that Fair Trade is part of ; the quality and characteristics of Ethiopian coffee ; and whether cooperatives and unions can remain true to the original goals of serving their farmer members—not turning into purely profit -orientated businesses .
While this report focuses on Ethiopia , it dissects and debates economic trends that usually affect developing nations producing coffee . It explores the logistics and ethics of prices paid in the West for coffee from developing countries like Ethiopia .
The report ultimately aims to enlighten readers so they’re able to make an ethical purchase of a good quality coffee , while aware of the myriad factors and trends affecting the international coffee market . |