In its simplest form, coffee production consists of growing harvesting, hulling, drying and packing, bulking, blending and roasting (Severins, 2015). Harvesting is most commonly in very specific climates usually consisting of humidity and a stable temperature. This means the most common places to harvest are Brazil, Vietnam, Columbia and Peru where workers typically hand pick and monitor the berries/beans (Severins, 2015). These berries require a lot of by hand cleaning and maintenance by workers where then after they are set to dry out. After properly drying out, the beans are packed into bags roughly containing 60kg of beans for export (Severins, 2015). These large coffee bean bags are put into large shipping containers to then be exported throughout the world. Smaller roasters then buy specific beans to roast at their own expense where they can then blend and sell (Infographics, 2018).
Below is a excellent graphic further illustrating all the steps it takes to get to that morning cup of coffee most of us enjoy on a daily basis.
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| https://coffeebyproxy.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/bps-coffee-steps.jpg |
There are even finer tuned details within this supply chain for such a seemingly simple good that is consumed by over 200 million Americans everyday (Kroll, 2017). When you contribute to the consumption of such a product do you think its of support of this prosperous chain or do you think your more contribution to the growing misunderstanding of consumption? In other words, do you consider your place in this supply chain as a benefit or drawback to the industry as a whole?
One major factor to consider before answering these questions are the measures each part of the supply chain takes for each aspect, worker, equipment, environmentally safe products etc., for the prosperity of its product within our globalized economy. One common standard, which was discussed in class, is Certified Fair Trade Products. Certified as Fair Trade serves as a way to monitor each step of a product along its supply chain. It gives security to the consumer and firm that the product being sold has served as more of a beneficiary to all of society rather than just the side of consumption. B-Corps are another certification type process that adheres to similar principles thus helping the world of consumption grow into a healthier environment on all ends.
I believe once you educate yourself, even the slightest, on how products are carried through their life of consumption, you as a consumer will begin to question some of the decisions you make hopefully bettering your choices for the global wellbeing.
https://www.allthingssupplychain.com/the-amazing-supply-chain-of-your-morning-coffee/
Infographics. (2018). The supply chain behind your morning cup of coffee. GT Nexus. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
http://www.gtnexus.com/resources/infographics/supply-chain-behind-your-morning-cup-coffee
https://coffeebyproxy.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/bps-coffee-steps.jpg
Kroll, M.K. (2017). Spilling the Beans on the Coffee Supply Chain. Inbound logistics. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/spilling-the-beans-on-the-coffee-supply-chain/
I really enjoyed this blog post! I agree that educating yourself on the product consumption/supply chains will really open your eyes to something the majority of people do not consider. I especially liked the graphic you included, I thought that really helped in understanding the life of a coffee bean. Most people probably only think about the brewing and drinking of their morning beverage, and that really goes to show how much of consumption processes goes unrecognized.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the fact that education is key to changing consumption habits. I feel as if a lot of consumers know their impacts and effects of what they buy but choose to ignorant with their knowledge and turn their heads the other way. Hopefully with globalization becoming more prevalent in consumerist countries the over majority of population will have a change in mindset or way of life that strays away from consumerist actions that have massive negative impact on another part of the globe.
ReplyDeleteThis was an Interesting post and made me think of my consumption habits. However, I think if the majority of the population is educated on the true cost of their foods and products, it wouldn't change behavior much because in my opinion we care more about connivence then anything else. As long as its easy to attain, the majority of people will continue to consume the product regardless of its detriment to society.
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