Here are some quick stats to chew on with your morning fair trade coffee.
In 2008, the U.S. imported about 87 million pounds of fair trade coffee. Global imports total about 150 million pounds. Considering Starbucks, the world’s largest bean purchaser, purchases about 380 million pounds of beans a year (of which only 18 million pounds is fair trade certified), that would mean that fair trade coffee globally is less than half the size of Starbucks.
I’m really not sure what to think about that fact. In some regards, its a large portion and getting larger, on the other hand, why shouldn’t it be even bigger than Starbucks?
Globally, fair trade coffee imports increased by 14% from 2007, which is positive considering the economic downturn.
Enjoy!
Ian
(stats from fairtrade.org.uk and fairtrademonth.org)
