We know we're not the only ones who suffer with drawl if we don’t get our daily cuppa Joe. Second only to oil, coffee is the commodity with the highest volume being exported to the developed world! Its no wonder coffee side projects have been popping up all over the highlands of Panama, where land and labour are both found cheap. Investors looking to participate in the coffee craze should take a close look at the province of CHIRIQUI home of the award winning GEISHA bean. It is described as a fruity, wine-like coffee that mimics Early Grey tea's bergamot oil flavors. Truly unique!
Geisha has been auctioned for up to US$260/kg and sold at Starbucks for US$7 a cup.
Boquete’s Finca Esmeralda was the first to be made famous by it's Geisha, which is now grown by Café Ruiz, Finca Lérida and a growing number of local estates, who have proved that selectivity pays off. But is it all about the money?
Explore Direct-Trade Coffee Opportunities in Chiriquí, Panama
The high demand for coffee in North America and Europe creates an opportunity for farmers in developing countries to export their coffee, but it also means that is up to us as consumers to be aware of where their coffee comes from. More and more often consumers are proving they do care! Especially those who consider coffee as an artisanal craft not simply a commodity.
Consumers have the power to make a positive change through their purchasing decisions, because if more people support fair trade coffee brands, companies will be pushed to embrace ethical business practices. By providing fair wages to farmers, prohibiting child labor, and mandating sustainable regulations, fair trade associations promote healthier, happier lifestyles for communities in the developing world.
But what dictates the consistency of quality beans to connoisseurs world wide, and sets the Ethical Investor apart from the Opportunist ? The implementation of DIRECT TRADE.
According to ROASTY , the unfiltered resource for coffee lovers, https://www.roastycoffee.com
“As with any large corporation, there have been increasing concerns regarding the transparency of fair trade. Some critics believe the entire movement is simply a result of ethical consumerism and it is only hurting the advance of the coffee industry. Direct trade is less of an organization and more of a method or ideology. It is a type of sourcing where roasters (distributors) buy direct-ly from farmers (producers). This method of trade came about as a way to address some of the pitfalls of fair trade practices. This includes exchanging higher premiums for higher quality coffee, ensuring that both the farmers (who are getting paid more) and the consumers (who are getting better coffee) are happy.”
Direct trade coffee buyers, are usually specialty roasters, who want to improve the increasingly convoluted fair trade system.They are dissatisfied with the third-party certification programs. They take it upon themselves to form a mutually beneficial and respectful relationship with individual producers or cooperatives in the coffee-producing countries.
THE DIRECT TRADE PROCESS:
Producers (Farmers)
Farmers meet and interact with distributors directly. In exchange for better prices for their goods, the producers strive to provide quality products to their buyers.
Distributors (Roasters)
Instead of buying from an importer, who bought from an exporter, who bought from a cooperative…and so on, direct trade distributors buy straight from the farmers.
This practice allows them to directly influence both the quality of the good they receive and the prices that farmers are able to receive. Overall this increases sustainability on both sides of the equation.
NOT Importers, Exporters, or an Overarching Organizations
Direct trade effectively cuts out the middle men. This eliminates up-charges and fees that come with the fair trade territory.
Why Invest in PANAMA Coffee Farms?
What does it take to grow world-class coffee? The farm needs the perfect combination of climate, elevation, and access to efficient shipping ports and workers. The Republic of Panama offers all of this: Not only do you get exceptional weather and the rich volcanic soil that gives coffee beans their own unique flavors, but the country itself is quite affordable and welcoming to outside investors. The economy continues to grow, it has very favorable tax rules especially for money earned outside its borders, and it is safe from hurricanes and other natural disasters that can quickly destroy your assets. Boquete coffee grown on the volcanic slopes of the mighty Volcan Baru has impressive flavor. If you want to specialize in Panama Geisha coffee beans, choose a farm with over 1600 meters elevation.
See ROOTS REAL ESTATE PANAMA’S selection of coffee farms for sale as the first step towards your ethical new investment on our Farm Land page.
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