Appendix
Links, resources, and data assessments.
Quotes and notes that inspired our story...
“Coffee is appreciated by millions of drinkers everyday around the world. Around 25 million farmers grow coffee in 60 tropical countries. Coffee plantation covers about 11 million ha around the world including both arabica and robusta coffee.”
(https://medium.com/environmental-intelligence/a-new-coffee-taste-in-vietnam-819463225f14)
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Coffee History
https://www.ncausa.org/about-coffee/history-of-coffee
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“Most farmers are smallholders, they own a small area, often few hectares. In the highlands, farmers often belong to marginalized ethnic minorities. They are rather poor.”
https://medium.com/one-table-one-world/a-grain-of-coffee-7a1944aac053
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Coffea arabica, the Arabian coffee, is originally from the high plateaus of Ethiopia. It grew up at an altitude of 1300–2000m above sea level, where the air is thin and temperatures a little chilly. Plants, pests and insects are less abundant in the tropical highlands that Arabica calls home. In this comfortable environment, Arabica didn’t have to compete against other plants or defend itself against diseases or pests. It grew up with a silver spoon in its mouth, and therefore now it is a rather fragile plant.
Coffea canephora, also known as Robusta, is also from West-Africa but grew up at the lower altitude of 800m. This tree likes warm temperatures between 20–25 C. Growing in the tropical lowlands, Canephora had to make a name for itself, fighting plants and pests to carve out its place in the forest and catch a bit of sunlight. Canephora is more robust; hence its second name Robusta.
The harsher environment and larger area that Robusta originated from contributed to its genetic diversity, as well as to its high caffeine content. Caffeine, the molecule that keeps us awake, is a great weapon against insects and plant-eaters. Robusta beans contain about 2.5% caffeine, whereas Arabica stands at only about 1.5%.
The two species, Arabica and Robusta, represent 99% of the coffee consumed around the world.
Though they’re different, the species of coffee have a lot in common. A young coffee plant starts to produce the beloved coffee beans in its second year. It reaches its normal production at the age of five, and can stay productive for thirty years.
Once adult, Robusta is about five metres tall, while Arabica stands at about three.
It’s only after several months (6–9 for Arabica and 9–11 for Robusta) that flowers will produce the very expected fruits.
An Arabica tree can produce about 5 kg of fruits while Robusta can produce about 10 kg. But that doesn’t mean you’ll get 5 or 10 kilos of coffee beans! The fruits go through a long round of processing, so the weight of the final coffee beans will be only about 20% that of fresh coffee cherries.
Coffee is the second-most traded agricultural product in the world, after natural oil.
(Looking for references? A lot of the information in this article is taken from the following book: Jean Nicolas Wintgens — Coffee Growing, Processing, Sustainable Production — A Guidebook for Growers, Processors, Traders, and Researchers (2004))
(https://medium.com/snipette/coffee-growing-4809fe38ba2)
DATA:
KAGGLE and Statista were resources we used for a number of quantitative datasets. Often the data detailed where it was collected, and if there were people poled, detailed about the age and location of those populations. No specifics where indicated as to which age groups dominated the polls, heritage or more specific locations. The data sets appeared to be void of too much specific detail and rather cleaned up and "sterilized". Because coffee is not necessarily a high prices consumable, even on the more expensive end of coffee consumption (i.e. premium beans or fancy Starbucks drinks), we presumed that the data would have been collected from a diverse population, however lacking specificity does call into question who was polled, and who might participate in an online poll (incentivized or not).
Data collected on the origin of beans and productions, while often clear and often comparable to data collected by multiple sources, is still a bit questionable. Our research led us to discovering how blurred the path from cultivated to consumption is, and that the numbers presented are verifiable but still questionable. We came to this understanding as we discovered that much of the farming is done in rural communities by typically marginalized or lower-earning populations. While there is work done by organizations like the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization, or CONAB (Companhia Nacional de Abastecimentio) - there is a lot of potential for missing data due to lack of access to the farms, or to data collected by farms who are more concerned with maintaining and growing their profit in an incredibly difficult coffee market.
More anecdotal nominal and quantifiable data (ex. large scale producing countries, climate, history, coffee consumption and brew and roast times) tended to be easier to verify through cross referencing stats or thoroughly reading the methodology of those providing the data.
A strong source for our information was https://www.coffee-statistics.com.
The website clearly detailed staff members, their methodology and typical ways they source their statistic, as well as affiliations they have. Though there are not many in-post citations, much of the data here could be corroborated in other data were were able to source through google searches. While being able to cross reference to validate the data provided confidence, not having a definite source means that we have to question where and how this data was obtained and concluded. This “mystery” or lack of transparency evokes a similar skepticism when we reflect back on some of the big-issue questions we wanted to address in terms of transparency and credibility when it comes to sustainability and worker’s rights programs.
What we learned through the initial data collection process focused on the sociopolitical and human rights implications of cultivating and exporting coffee is that there is quite a big blank space, and room for quite a bit or error or "omitted" information. Large companies (i.e. Tim Hortons or Starbucks) provide statistics on how much of their coffee is ethically sourced or sustainable, but fail to publish any clear data exemplifying this. We will likely delve further into this side of the bean when it comes to A4, but for now it has left us with a health skepticism when it comes to large corporations and the rural farming communities and the lands they depend on.
APPENDIX.
https://www.kaggle.com/nareshbhat/historic-daily-basics-dataset
Historic Grocery Prices in USD / KG
Confusing Data Collection
CQI Arabica Data - not very clean, hard to read, we ultimately did not use it.
https://www.kaggle.com/tarunrajamuthan/cleaned-cqi-arabica-coffee-data
Wikipedia - Legible Export Data
COFFEE LIFECYCLE
Comprehensive research paper looking at Carbon Emissions with data and methodology that was well cited.
https://rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/geo2.96
Life Cycle of a Coffee Bean
https://www.longbottomcoffee.com/learn/the-coffee-bean/life-cycle-of-the-coffee-bean/
Visualization of the production for inspiration and analysis.
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/from-bean-to-brew-the-coffee-supply-chain/
PRODUCERS/EXPORTERS:
Reuters - Coffee 2018/19
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-coffee-duopoly-insight-idUSKCN1VC079
“Brazil and Vietnam now produce more than half the world’s coffee, up from less than a third 20 years ago, and the proportion is rising, U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates show.”
Where does Coffee Grow?
https://www.coffee-statistics.com/where-does-coffee-grow/
Over 100 types of coffee species, Arabica and Robusta most commercially relevant
* same numbers as on Wikipedia
*Methodology details but not many in-post citations
* Easy to find affiliate disclosure
HOW MANY BEANS IN A CUP OF COFFEE?
This source: Approx. 70
This source: Approx. 76
As a general reference though – you now know that your cup of coffee contains roughly 76 coffee beans, which came from 38 coffee cherries that were hand-picked by someone in a far-off foreign country.
AVERAGE BREW TIME:
(Varying times for Auto-Drip pots, espresso machines and cold brewing.)
https://www.eatingwell.com/article/41595/9-rules-for-how-to-make-a-perfect-cup-of-coffee/
French Press + Pour over approx. 4 min.
https://www.consumerreports.org/coffee/how-to-brew-the-perfect-cup-of-coffee/
Aeropress: 1 min 15 sec
Chemex: 3 min 30 sec - 4 min 15 sec
French Press: 4 min
Pour over: 3 min 30 sec - 4 min 15 sec
Drip: 5 min
French Press 2-4 min
COFFEE WE DRINK
COFFEE PRODUCTION IN BRAZIL
2020 coffee cultivation:
Brazil’s coffee area increased 1.4% from 2019 to 2020, said Conab, to 2.16 million hectares, as around 300,000 hectares of coffee trees planted a couple of years ago came to production.
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https://elevencoffees.com/which-country-produces-the-most-coffee/
Approximately 3.5 million people are involved in the coffee industry in Brazil, mostly in rural areas. There are around 220,000 coffee farms, which span some 10,000 square miles (27,000 sq km). That’s almost the size of Belgium.
The six Brazilian largest coffee-producing states are Minas Gerais (1.22 million hectares); Espírito Santo (433,000 hectares); São Paulo (216,000 hectares); Bahia (171,000 hectares); Rondônia (95,000 hectares); and Paraná (49,000 hectares).
Despite the huge swathes of land that the coffee growing regions cover, the vast majority of coffee farms in Brazil are smallholdings that are less than 10 hectares (25 acres) in size.
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https://varieties.worldcoffeeresearch.org/info/coffee/about-varieties/main-types
Today, coffee production in Latin America is still based to a large extent on cultivars developed from Typica and Bourbon varieties, contributing to a significant genetic bottleneck for C. arabica. It Brazil, which accounts for 40% of world production, 97.55% of coffee cultivars are derived from Typica and Bourbon.
Today, coffee production in Latin America is still based to a large extent on cultivars developed from Typica and Bourbon varieties, contributing to a significant genetic bottleneck for C. arabica. It Brazil, which accounts for 40% of world production, 97.55% of coffee cultivars are derived from Typica and Bourbon.
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Number of cups of coffee consumed per day among coffee drinkers in Canada 2008-2020
Published by Jan Conway, Jan 15, 2021
In 2020, coffee drinkers in Canada drank on average 2.7 cups of the hot caffeinated beverages per day. This figure has fluctuated over the past years, with consumption peaking in 2008 at an average 3.6 cups per day.
Trends in Canadian at-home coffee consumption
Whilst there remains to be huge market for out-of-home coffee consumption in Canada, evidenced by the increase in number of Starbucks and Tim Hortons restaurants nationwide, the market for coffee products for use at home is growing. In 2018, the share of consumers owning single-cup coffee systems for at-home use increased by over 300 percent since 2012. According to a recent survey, more than 30 percent of Canadians use Tim Horton’s coffee products at home. Folgers and Starbucks were ranked as the second and third most popular coffee brands to use at home. Most coffee drinkers spend between 10 and 19 Canadian dollars per month on the beverage for home use, whilst around six percent spend over 100 Canadian dollars monthly.
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Elevation factor in Arabica and Robusta coffee beans
How many trees to be self sufficient?
https://bettercoffeeathome.com/how-many-coffee-plants/
CN Tower Facts
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CN_Tower
A4 - NEW PERSPECTIVE RESEARCH
Land Mass Comparisons
This page lists the cities in Canada with the largest land mass by km2. This where Toronto, Hamilton and Ottawa measurements came from for the proportional graph (converted the kms to ha)
Value Perceptions
Average retail price for roasted coffee in Canada 2015-2021
Published by Daniela Coppola, Apr 7, 2021
This statistic shows the average retail price for roasted coffee in Canada from January 2015 to February 2021. In February 2021, the average retail price for roasted coffee in Canada was 5.14 Canadian dollars per 300 grams.
Coffee in Canada - additional information
Coffee, typically served hot, is a beverage prepared by brewing ground, roasted coffee beans with water. Coffea plants, while native to tropical Africa and Asia, are now grown in numerous countries, including Brazil and Colombia. The two strains most widely produced and consumed are Arabica, known for its more complex flavors, and Robusta, a cheaper yet stronger blend. Originating in Yemen, coffee is now among the most popular beverages in the world.
Among the leading coffee chains in Canada, Tim Hortons, Starbucks and Second Cup generated about 10 billion Canadian dollars in gross sales in 2018, combined. By 2020, coffee consumption is forecast to reach approximately 4.9 million 60-kilogram bag. Despite beverages enticing the most consumers to coffee cafes, the most popular location to drink coffee is in-home.
The average retail price of coffee per 300g roasted, April 2015-2020 is equivalent to $3.98-$5.21 USD*, which is comparable to the average minimum wage of a coffee picker per day in Brazil, $6 USD*/day.
USD to CAD conversion average for April 2021
Wages
Interestingly, some of the victims’ testimonies included the wages paid by the farms. One man said he use to make R$14= U$2.67 for picking a volume of coffee equivalent to almost a day of work. While a woman earned R$672=U$128.39 for 43 days (U$2.98/day), both salaries are equivalent to about U$3/day. At the end, the farm was indicted for slavery. For paying wages below the minimum by Brazilian law R$998 = U$190.67/month or U$6/day. However, if we compare those wages with the ones paid in Africa and Asia nowadays, suddenly, a slavery wage becomes competitive. Several countries, including DRC, Ethiopia, Burundi and Uganda, workers don’t make more than U$1/day while in South East Asia, it is about $3/day.
“Coffee workers, nonetheless receive nothing but a fixed daily salary.”
https://thecoffee.blog/all/social-all/why-are-coffee-workers-unaffected-by-market-prices/
This blog entry was written by Marcelo Pereira, who boasts an impressive connection to the coffee industry. His about me page references work “with private companies and NGOs that include, Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), ACDI/VOCA, Technoserve, Winrock International and USAID in different countries around East Africa, Asia and Central/South America”.
While his blog posting is written with clear emotion and empathy for the farm workers, his professional experience working closely with organizations and farmers, as well as his references to other reputable sources like Reuters and Danwatch give us confidence in the data he is communicating.
Danwatch expose on poor working conditions
João Newton Reis Teixeira owns a plantation with 380 hectares of coffee bushes. He says he pays anything from 12 to 20 reais (about $3-5) to fill a 60-litre sack, depending on whether the bushes in that area of the plantation are productive or not.
His coffee plantation is certified by 4C, UTZ and the Rainforest Alliance, whose objectives are to guarantee that coffee is produced in a sustainable way. The prices he quotes here are on the high end of the spectrum of prices that were communicated to Danwatch by workers during the 2015 harvest.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, according to Jorge Ferreira dos Santos Filho, a large proportion of coffee workers are paid under the monthly minimum wage of 788 reais (about $190)
Average cost of living Brazil March 2021 - Minimum require salary
Average Nominal Monthly Salary $245/mo
Average Necessary Monthly Salary $1187/mo
Calculated with REAL to CAD conversion April
https://www.dieese.org.br/analisecestabasica/salarioMinimo.html#2020
Ontario Minimum Wage - 2021
Liquor servers minimum wage, no tips $12.45/hr x an 8 hour shift - 30min lunch break = $93.38 CAD
Homeworker minimum wage $15.70/hr x an 8 hour shift = $125.60 CAD ? Lunch break?
https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0/minimum-wage#section-0
In Ontario, the Employment Standards Act (ESA) provides most employees with one 30 minute meal break for every 5 hours of work. This meal break must be uninterrupted and does not have to be paid.
DIGITAL - What Do Canadians Pay for Coffee? It Varies Widely, Data from Square Shows
The average price Canadians pay for coffee varies widely by province, new data from Square shows.
In Calgary, the average cost is $4.22, making it the most expensive market for java in Canada. Contrasting that is Montreal at $2.67. And in the middle lies Ottawa ($2.89), Toronto ($3.28), and Vancouver ($3.66).
NATASHA’S COFFEE COSTS, TORONTO + MONTREAL USUAL PRICES
Data taken from looking at my credit statements from 2020-2021, with coffee purchased in Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago, Austin, Montreal
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Average black coffee 12 oz - $3.00 before tax and tip
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Average Latte $5.00 before tax and tip
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Average chain coffee $1.85 - $2.00 before tax
OTHER RESOURCES:
This article provided interesting insight but we refrained from using data as it was published in 2013.
