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Devastating deforestation, repeated scandals, loss of biodiversity, social injustice and inequality, not to mention the effects of climate change: for several years now, all of this has pushed consumers to be more attentive to their purchasing habits. And coffee is part of this awareness. It focuses on two important points: the social side, by implementing fair trade, and the environmental side, by favoring organic farming.
Organic coffee is increasingly in demand, even though it still only represents 2% of the coffee market. Labels, more or less regulated, are also appearing. But with so many different labels, it can be difficult for consumers to find their way around. Let's discover together what a self-certified label for organic coffee is!
The coffee sector is made up of 25 million producers in more than 80 countries. The majority of them cultivate coffee on farms of less than 5 hectares. Nevertheless, coffee remains one of the main food products and is considered the second most traded consumer good in the world.
Moreover, coffee is highly ranked among the agricultural products generating maximum value on the stock market. However, the sector is also characterized by very volatile prices, low remuneration for producers, and a certain concentration of power in the hands of traders, distributors and large international brands. A real problem of redistribution of value in the coffee sector has gradually emerged.
But that's not all. The market has to be profitable, and this has led some producers to overuse pesticides such as glyphosate. This has led to a sharp decline in the quality of the coffee, impoverished soils, weakened crop resilience characteristics, disruption of climate change and a sharp decline in yields. All this has negatively impacted the livelihoods of the majority of smallholder farmers.
Social and environmental problems have become interdependent and intertwined. This is why labels were created: so that harmful production practices that generate inequalities disappear.
A coffee is certified organic if it is organically grown. In effect, this means that the coffee has been grown in unpolluted soil and without the use of chemicals or pesticides. When it is harvested, it must also go through a distinctive process so that it never comes into contact with non-organic coffee plants. The yield of organic coffee is lower, but the quality is higher.
This process differs from fair trade in that it does not require the establishment of a guaranteed minimum price. This is made possible by the principle that the constancy of the plantations can only increase productivity. This gives producers the opportunity to achieve a better remuneration.
Some companies have decided to set up their own labeling programs for their organic coffee. This is for example the case of Starbucks with its Coffee Practices or Nestlé with its AAA program. Their objective is simple:
The main problem with self-certified organic coffee labels is that they can be prescriptive: the criteria they define are not necessarily shared by the entire industry. One also quickly realizes that this kind of system creates an interdependence between the company and the growers. This can be dangerous if a company decides to go elsewhere for supplies.
Moreover, a self-certified organic coffee label has no obligation to have its operation checked by an impartial outsider. This can bring an additional imbalance in the power relations.
The certifications and labels on coffee packages remain independent of each other. Not to mention that not all of them offer the same guarantees.
An organic coffee will not necessarily come from a fair trade and sustainable and vice versa. The best compromise that could exist would be to have a fair trade AND organic label. This would create a stronger model of sustainability and resilience.
Despite this, certifications and labels are still very positive for the coffee sector. Coffee farmers now have financial security thanks to a guaranteed minimum income. The labeling gives a certain value to the productions, which makes them more independent towards the intermediaries, but also for the price negotiation.
However, a self-certified label for organic coffee can be pointed out. It can indeed be difficult to control the effects, because the production origins are far too fragmented, as well as geographically isolated. The vast majority of farms are located in very remote mountainous regions, which makes it very difficult to go and audit them often. It is therefore not easy for consumers to trust this type of label.
Nevertheless, for some consumers, buying self-certified organic coffee means choosing a product that guarantees the respect of certain values, while taking into account a normally strict set of specifications. It is also a guarantee of confidence and credibility for all producers and their coffees.
It is important to keep in mind that non-labeled organic coffees can also be of good quality and even exceed the rules set by the labels. On the other hand, some companies may offer a labeled organic coffee, but their coffee cherries are never ripe before harvesting, which will not give the best coffee. It is necessary to remain vigilant and seek professional advice when choosing an organic coffee.
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