Coffee is not in the top 10 of the world's most traded commodities

All one needs is google:
1. Oil
2 Steel
3 Soybeans
4 Iron
5 Corn
6 Gold
7 Copper

Like alot of agricultural products, prices have remained low through history. Unlike many agricultural products, coffee production cannot be mechanized (except for Brazil) thereby driving down the price of production
 
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Google saves a ton of time right? It is, however, interesting to note that a lot of information that is available online, and easily accessible with a simple Google search, is still clouded by "tribal knowledge".
 
Couldn't agree more. Google is good, sure, but unless the information is coming from a solid source you should always take it with a pinch of salt.
 
Sociologists claim that in the twenty-first century, coffee became the most popular drink in the world and is very popular in almost all countries.
 
Honestly makes NO difference to me as to how things are ranked as I don't focus on numbers. As long as I can source quality greens year round to roast to my standards AND those doing the back breaking work to bring the coffee to market are fairly treated life is good.
 
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Honestly makes NO difference to me as to how things are ranked as I don't focus on numbers. As long as I can source quality greens year round to roast to my standards AND those doing the back breaking work to bring the coffee to market are fairly treated life is good.

That seems reasonalbe Shadow. But what do you mean by "those doing the back breaking work to bring the coffee to market are fairly treated"? The reality of life in third world countries does not often live up to expectations. Paying more for "Fair Trade" coffees doesn't always ensure that that premium paid makes its way into the hands of those harvesting the crop.
 
That seems reasonalbe Shadow. But what do you mean by "those doing the back breaking work to bring the coffee to market are fairly treated"? The reality of life in third world countries does not often live up to expectations. Paying more for "Fair Trade" coffees doesn't always ensure that that premium paid makes its way into the hands of those harvesting the crop.

Well I don't buy into the 'fair trade/organic' marketing B.S. as how are we to know what standards are practiced? When I buy greens I will only buy from reputable companies that are known to be seriously involved with farmers and push to be sure they are paid/treated fairly.
 
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Well I don't buy into the 'fair trade/organic' marketing B.S. as how are we to know what standards are practiced? When I buy greens I will only buy from reputable companies that are known to be seriously involved with farmers and push to be sure they are paid/treated fairly.

Glad to hear that Shadow! It's refreshing to hear that someone actually fact checks in the age of Facebook memes! I think that's happening more and more, but a lot times you can't buy direct from the growers. When you buy from coops are you able to know that the price paid by them provides a fair compensation? All I know about the current supply chain as there are many importers here in the US, and tightly controlled export market in producing countries. But the opportunity to buy direct from a grower is a bit of a mystery to me.
 
Who cares if it's in the "top 10" or not? It's not a contest! Unless there is a persistent downward trend in supply/demand then there's nothing to worry about.
 
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