Factors affecting quality & value of coffee. A critical expose. (#117)

Authors

Portillo Rodríguez, Ostilio Rolando

Abstract

The price of coffee in the international market is controlled by the interaction of supply and demand. However, purchasing companies impose a series of conditions on producing countries related to the quality of the coffee beans, which in turn affect the quality of the cup of coffee. Certain parameters are evaluated at the receiving ports through random samples taken from containers to assess the quality of the product. However, the beans quality is not only determined by the elimination of defects prior to shipment, but also through a series of cultural practices, many of which are applied on coffee plantations. Finally, although there are market niches where the beans price is quoted at much higher prices (gourmet coffees), the market of most of the world’s production is controlled by the average consumer, who is unwilling to pay the prices of specialty coffees. This essay presents a detailed discussion of the parameters that affect the price of the beans, and which must be considered by both producers and exporters to achieve the best prices and generate the most foreign currency for their countries of origin.