This book recasts the "development problem" for countries relying on commodity exports in entirely new ways by analyzing the so-called coffee paradox--the coexistence of a "coffee boom" in consuming countries and of a "coffee crisis" in producing countries. In consuming countries, coffee continues to grow in popularity. At the same time, international coffee prices have fallen dramatically and producers receive the lowest prices in decades. As long as coffee farmers and their organizations do not control at least parts of this production, they will remain on the losing end.
Customer Reviews:
The answer to the coffee questionJuly 21, 2007 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Fair trade and organic coffee is seen by many as the solution to poverty among coffee farmers of the South, although these are excellent solutions for a group of coffee producers they leave out the vast majority of producers. Ponte and Daviron outline what other possible solutions are available to solve the problem. These solutions could ideally reach the majority of coffee producers. I would recomend this book to anyone interested in coffee and the quality of life of producers of the global South.
