The Coffee Exporters Guide is often referred to as ITCs Coffee Guide. The 270-page third edition is from late 2011. The guide is available in English, French and Spanish (with various updates and overhauls of the website ongoing during 2012). The publication covers trade issues relevant to coffee growers, traders, exporters, transportation companies, certifiers, associations, authorities and others in coffee producing countries. It is often referred to as the world’s most extensive and neutral source of information on international trade of coffee.
1. World coffee trade – an overview
2. The market for coffee
3. Niche markets, environment and social aspects
4. Contracts
5. Logistics and insurance
6. E-commerce and supply chain management
7. Arbitration
8. Futures markets
9. Hedging
10.Risk and the relation to trade credit
11.Coffee quality
12.Quality control
13.Climate change and the coffee industry
14.Questions and answers at: www.thecoffeeguide.org
Guide to Geographical Indications – Linking Products and their Origins, a 220-page publication from 2009, including detailed case studies with coffee as the most prominent
product. With only 10% of the world’s protected geographical indications coming from developing countries, there is great potential to use this tool to reduce poverty through trade. This is
the first book targeted to the business sector in developing countries on this topic. It draws from eight case studies and 200 published reports to provide valuable insights on how to set
up and monitor geographical indications, share costs and benefits, and interpret legal frameworks. Available from ITC’s e-
shop in English, French and Spanish. Alternatively, you can download the PDFs for free here: English - French - Spanish
Technical Papers:
Microfinance in East Africa – Schemes for Women in the Coffee Sector. 2011.Overview of the microfinance sector in East Africa with particular focus on schemes in Kenya and Uganda. The paper explains the role and importance of microfinance for women engaged in the coffee sector; presents the key players in microfinance in East Africa, and reviews the current trends.Trends in the Trade of Certified Coffees, 2011. Available inEnglish,French and Spanish. Provides an overview of global market trends for the sustainable segment of the coffee industry. Highlights the importance of certification in traditional and emerging markets, outlines the main sustainability certification and verification schemes, details volumes of traded coffee for each and considers the impact of these standards on coffee producers and the industry.
The Coffee Sector in China, 2010. A 25-page overview of production, export, import, processing and consumption. China is both an exporter and importer of green coffee and roasted coffee. The quantities produced and consumed are modest in a global context: China produces some 40,000 tons of green coffee annually (0.5% of world production). Annual consumption is some 30,000 tons (0.025 kg per capita) - a small quantity but it is growing. In addition to traditional data on the past, the present and some projections, the report also describes:
- special import regulations,
- packaging, marketing and labeling requirements,
- domestic business practices,
- data on coffee niche markets,
- foreign trade relations influence,
- types of coffee traded,
- countries of origin of the coffees imported (Viet Nam and Indonesia),
- destinations of coffee exported (Germany, Japan, others).
Cimate Change and the Coffee Industry, 2010. This paper focuses on the effect of climate change on global coffee production, with particular reference to small coffee producers in developing and least developed countries. Highlights the possible effects of climate change on quality, yield, pests and diseases, and irrigation; considers potential areas of intervention, and looks at short-term solutions and long-term strategies to make coffee producers better prepared. Note: For an updated version – see: The Coffee Exporter’s Guide (Chapter 13).