Why Does a Poor Man Drink Coffee
Discussions about poverty, especially in relation to the world’s developing countries, are often quite intense and divided, with people variously favoring the merits of government intervention or grassroots programs. However, there is an area of poverty-ridden subsistence which is rarely discussed, and which often goes unnoticed in developed countries: the very cheap and unbranded coffee to which the poorest of the world’s population are limited, with the restrictions and advantages it brings.
The cost of a cup of coffee has failed to keep pace with inflation in the last two decades, with prices as low as two cents being accessible to the lowest segments of society. But what motivates them to buy such a small quantity of coffee?
According to the World Bank, 10 percent of the world’s population lives in poverty and lacks the means to purchase more expensive goods. Coffee, when purchased in bulk, is one of the cheapest commodities accessible to that segment of society, and often constitutes the only hot drink for which these families are able to afford. Thus, these households often turn to coffee for their practical and emotional needs, striving to maintain some artificial comfort in their otherwise destitute lives.
It is clear that the downtrodden have developed a credible obsession with coffee. In many poor countries, coffee has become almost a necessity of life; in fact, the recent trend of coffeehouse line ups is becoming increasingly common, with the company of friends or family providing the necessary comfort and distraction. Furthermore, the price of a small cardboard cup of coffee purchased in a market or roadside cafe is often now so low that it is unlikely to break the family budget.
Additionally, the beverage is proving its practical use in some communities. It is being used within households to reduce pregnancy-related health risks and improve infant health outcomes. As well, while many of the same people are malnourished, the caffeine found in coffee may provide additional energy needed to carry out their work.
Nonetheless, there is a controversial problem associated with this trend: the introduction of low-grade, unregulated products which contain chemicals unknowingly ingested by those consuming them. It has been found for example, that the drinking of low-grade coffee can be detrimental to overall health as it can contain synthetic chemicals, as well as ingredients with various unhealthy side effects.
Moreover, the adverse environmental effects associated with poor production standards are considerable. The obtaining of extremely low-grade coffee almost always involves the usage of low-quality growing practices, such as deforesting large swaths of land in order to cultivate the beans.
Other Considerations
Developing countries are believed to be the primary producers of these cheaply-priced coffees, some of which is purchased directly from coffee pickers by local traders and exported abroad. The focus on volume over quality often leads to coffees produced in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and Colombia to be considered inferior in terms of taste when compared to more expensive gourmet coffees. Moreover, this kind of coffee may not reach the consumer in optimal conditions.
It is clear that poorer households are not making a choice between luxury products and cheaper, unregulated foods. Rather, they are often forced to buy the cheaper, lower quality products in order to survive. The problem is compounded by a lack of consumer protection laws, making it difficult for people in these countries to be knowledgeable of what they are consuming.
It is essential that local governments and international bodies take effective steps to protect the consumer from unwittingly purchasing unhealthy products. Such steps could include implementing policies for more extensive quality control procedures as well as more stringent labeling requirements.
It is also paramount that international agencies, corporations and NGOs foment improving producers’ access to technology, innovation and resources, as the majority of the coffee production relies on very small-scale producers, with many of them operating without the benefits of modern technology and access to market information that could help improve the quality of their crops, increase their production rate, and thus lift them out of poverty.
The Dilemma
It is a dilemma for all those concerned about the welfare of the developing world. On the one hand, strictly regulating the production of low-grade coffee would bring its own set of problems, placing severe limitations on the level of poverty alleviation accomplished, cutting off the only affordable source of comfort or energy for the lowest segments of society, and potentially reducing the demand for such coffees, raising prices and thus having the opposite effect of what was intended. On the other hand, allowing the market to freely operate without any interference may lead to irresponsible practices, causing both immediate and long-term damage to those who are most vulnerable.
In this context, a balance has to be achieved between providing incentives for producers to improve their conditions in the long run, and ensuring that the immediate needs of people in extreme poverty are respected. Coffee is an integral part of the lives of the world’s lowest earners, and any policy or competition in this market must recognize this fact and seek to provide the highest possible quality products at the most reasonable prices.
The Impact
From the discussion it is clear that the purchase and consumption of low-grade coffee has a profound impact on those living in extreme poverty, impacting their health and productivity, as well as the environment in which they live. Yet it is also these same people who must make do with the lowly priced products available to them, as they are often the only options accessible on such limited budgets.
It is thus important that the international community acknowledge the implications of this phenomenon and take necessary steps to ensure the protection of those consuming it. Moreover, governments, NGOs and businesses must act to ensure that producers benefit from increased market access and technological advancements, further allowing them to improve their production rate and quality while allowing them to satisfy the needs of their most vulnerable citizens.
The Role of the Coffee Industry
In order to ensure sustainable progress is being made, it is essential that the coffee industry is held complicit for its part in the lives of those in poverty. This can be achieved through various measures, such as providing certification for the production of certain low-grade beans, and/or through attempts to create social impact models that ensure a percentage of profits from coffee sales directly benefit those in poverty. As well, it is also important for governments and international agencies to recognize the need for co-operation between producers, traders, consumers and environmentalists in working towards improving sustainability.
Therefore, it is critical that the coffee industry recognize the possibility of using coffee as a tool for poverty alleviation, with the methods employed requiring wise management, appropriate investments and expert advice in order to develop a sustainable, long-term model.
The Optimism of Hope
The issues surrounding the production and consumption of low-grade coffee are complex and far-reaching, and, as such, represent a major challenge for the international development and coffee industry, as well as for those in poverty. Nevertheless, thanks to the pioneering of efforts such as Fair Trade, the plight of people in poverty need not be constantly overlooked, but instead, can result in a situation where the value of coffee is shared by all involved.
In conclusion, it is essential that the coffee industry and international community work in partnership to ensure ensuring ethical production, fair trade and equitable access to the world’s coffee resources. This could represent sc a major step forward in improving the lives of those living in extreme poverty, one cup of coffee at a time.
