Commodity Trading and Future Option Trading

United We Stand 

Coffee Definitions & Certification

Organic Coffee

Organic coffee is grown without synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides, using sustainable agricultural methods. Working in harmony with nature, organic farming practices support the meticulous ecological balance maintained on our suppliers' farms, and contribute to the extraordinary quality of our coffee.

Many US states now regulate organic coffee, and the USDA plans to enforce additional regulation under the U.S. Organic Food Production Act. Organic coffee must come from independently certified farms, be purchased by certified importers, and roasted by certified roasters to maintain the product's integrity. At each step in the processing chain, audit trails track the coffee beans as they move from source to cup.

Sustainable Harvest is a certified organic importer under Quality Assurance International (QAI), a third-party accredited organic certifying organization based in San Diego, CA. QAI was specifically developed for the purpose of certifying the authenticity of produce which is organically grown. Our certification through QAI ensures our customers a "clean" audit trail.

Fair Trade Coffee

Certified Fair Trade farmers are guaranteed an F.O.B. price of $1.41 per pound for organic coffee. At the time of this writing (September, 2001), world "C" prices are hovering around 72 cents per pound, which is well below the costs of production for most farmers in the world. Needless to say, current prices are putting farmers out of business and impoverishing coffee communities around the globe.

Fair Trade provides an alternative trade model that keeps small farmers in business. The rules and membership of fair trade is managed by the non profit certification group, TransfairUSA. Fair Trade rules stipulate healthy working conditions and a living wage for farmers, among other criteria that aim to improve living conditions in coffee producing communities.

Shade-grown Coffee

"Shade-grown" coffee is a method by which coffee is grown. It can apply to commercial or specialty coffee, but is found more frequently in specialty coffee production. Shade grown coffee is grown under a canopy of shade trees, which provide habitat for birds and other species, enrich and conserve soil, and in many cases decrease the need for chemical inputs. Shade-grown coffee thereby contributes to protection of natural habitats and tropical forest conservation in countries where coffee is produced.

Relationship Coffee

Relationship Coffee is a way of doing business that builds strong ties between top quality roasters and the conscientious farmers who produce exemplary coffees. Importers and roasters build long-term relationships with top suppliers, pay top dollar for top quality, and often invest in local projects of mutual interest and benefit.

Relationship Coffee's foundation comprises the following elements:

•  Fixed price for the product not dependent on the "C" (world coffee market) price.
  
  
•  Best of the farm's harvest guaranteed for the relationship buyer. Purchases are from a specific grower group, or grower.
  
  
•  Limited quantity of excellent product is available, often sold under an "exclusive."
  
  
•  Importer works with grower to build grower's "brand identity" in the consuming country, and to obtain educational and marketing content for the roaster customer.
  
  
•  Periodic visits by both roasters and growers to better understand their business partner's operations and issues.