Coffee requires a very specific range of temperature and humidity to thrive. It is grown in mountainous regions just north and south of the equator.
Fairtrade coffee farms are small, typically 2.4 acres. For comparison, the average farm size in the US is 435 acres.
The average American drinks over 3 cups of coffee per day.
Climate change is already here
From plant diseases to damaging pests to more destructive natural disasters and dwindling crop harvests, climate change is already a current reality for coffee farmers around the world. Because the cost of coffee continues to be low, many farmers don’t have the resources to farm sustainably, let alone adapt to this crisis. The unfortunate reality is that unless farmers get better trading conditions and there is a collective global shift to better support farmers, we will all be left with empty cups.
By 2050, the amount of land that can sustain coffee will have fallen by 50%.
Rising temperatures are increasing plant diseases
Segundo Alejandro Guerrero Mondragón is a Fairtrade coffee farmer in northeastern Peru where the rising temperatures are negatively affecting coffee in the form of leaf rust. This plant disease weakens the branches of the coffee plants and ultimately decreases the amount of coffee cherries it will yield. This decrease in harvest has a devastating effect on the income of small-scale farmers that are already grappling with extremely unfair trading conditions.
Prolonged dry spells are decreasing harvests
Zeddy Rotich is a coffee farmer from Kenya where prolonged dry spells are affecting both the timing of when coffee can be harvested and the amount that is viable.
Stronger together
Prioritizing the planet
All year round, we collaborate with over 758,000 coffee farmers worldwide. We fight for the planet through our rigorous standards, increasing farmer resources through our unique pricing model, and by connecting farmers to best practices through programs like the Climate Academy.
Over the past 3 years, 10,000 coffee farmers in Kenya have participated in this training program. In that short time, they have seen remarkable changes in their farms. From increased harvests to diversified income streams to renewable energy sources, this collaborative program has improved the quality of life for farmers today and has provided critical tools for resiliency in the future.
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When you drink your cup of coffee, I invite you to remember it comes from a place where people are working to build a different world in which we have peace, in which there is light, there is water, there is air for our future generations.
Miriam Zelaya
Join the fair trade movement
Join the conversation
On June 25th, hear from Zeddy (the farmer featured above) along with experts from Fairtrade and the Earth Institute’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) on the future of coffee.
Seek the seal
Ensuring that your daily cup (or three!) of coffee is Fairtrade certified is a great way to live your values. Explore our Fairtrade Product Finder to find your next bag.
Get certified
Make sure that your business is supporting people and the planet by getting Fairtrade certified. Our team is here to help you on your sustainability journey.
