Think coffee is expensive? Think again. It’s amazing what coffee farmers go through to provide us our daily caffeine consumption.

This article in TIME magazine gives us an inside glance about how much coffee is purchased and how little the farmers really make to barely live off.

Fair Trade pays $1.55 per lb. for Antonio’s organic coffee, almost 10% more than the market price. But Antonio is left with only 50¢ per lb. after paying Fair Trade cooperative fees, government taxes and farming expenses. By year’s end, he says, from the few thousand pounds he grows, he’ll pocket about $1,000 — around half the meager minimum wage in Guatemala

If we are to continue receiving our Fair Trade certified coffee, then the prices we pay for coffee need to go up. I would pay more knowing the money actually went to these hard workers to better their way of life.

Discussion: Would you pay more for a cup of coffee to increase the price of Fair Trade to coffee farmers to produce better quality coffee?

Jennifer Vaaler is the no-nonsense blogger of Daily Demitasse. Her fuel is also her passion as a Barista by day and freelance copywriter by night and was featured in trade Industry Journal, Coffee Talk. She specializes in Consulting and writing copy for the Specialty Coffee Industry. When she’s not wielding a portafilter or pen, Jennifer enjoys a great book, crafts and good movie.

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