中美洲咖啡產業在新冠肺炎疫情之後面臨了許多挑戰
咖啡不僅僅是一種飲料，對許多中美洲人來說，它是一種生活方式。在瓜地馬拉、宏都拉斯、薩爾瓦多、尼加拉瓜和哥斯達黎加等國，有超過120萬人依靠這個行業維持生計，這也不難理解為什麼咖啡是當地經濟的重要組成部分。雖然咖啡貿易的出口收入對這些國家的國內生產總值有積極影響，但許多咖啡農民仍然艱難求生。新冠肺炎大流行只給他們帶來了更多挑戰，包括國際咖啡價格的波動、低生產力和氣候變化的影響。雖然面臨這些阻礙，但這些農民仍然致力於種植最高品質的豆子，並且他們對咖啡的熱愛在每一杯中都可以看到。
對於許多中美洲的農民來說，咖啡不僅僅是一種飲料，更是他們的生計來源。通常，他們一年只能收到一次莊稼的收入，必須在整整一年的時間裡運作，直到下一季收成。然而，市場價格的波動會嚴重影響農民。當國際咖啡價格低於生產價格時，就像2018年平均價格下降30%一樣，中美洲的農民將面臨嚴重的貧困。
擁抱咖啡的世界在日益增長，儘管咖啡農民面臨著各種挑戰，但人們對咖啡的喜愛仍然不減。根據國際咖啡組織的數據，全球咖啡消費量自1990年以來每年穩定增長2％。雖然歐洲、北美、南美和亞洲的咖啡消費量正在增長，但在中美洲仍保持穩定，甚至在非洲有所下降。在工業化國家，人們享用咖啡的方式也發生了巨大變化，多樣化的口味、產地和形式現在可以在咖啡館文化中找到，這是近年來咖啡館文化發展的成果。因此，無論你是喝經典的黑咖啡還是享用特色拿鐵，有一件事是肯定的：世界對這種受愛戴的飲料的喜愛是永久的。
作為愛咖啡的人，我們願意為了那杯完美的咖啡多付點錢。但你知道嗎？我們為一杯咖啡付出的代價，並不總是能流回給種植咖啡的農民。儘管咖啡價格自1990年以來已經上漲，但許多咖啡農民還是掙扎著維持生計。從2001年的咖啡危機到近年來國際咖啡價格的不穩定，這對於那些種植我們喜愛咖啡豆的人來說是一段艱辛的道路。而隨著氣候變化使農業更加困難，確保種植我們咖啡的農民能夠維持可持續生計，更加重要了。
疫情對咖啡產業帶來了很大的影響，根據國際咖啡組織的數據顯示，2020年第一季度咖啡出口量下降了5.8%，阿拉比卡咖啡出口量最大的損失是10.1%。全球生產量也下降了0.9%。儘管如此，消費量仍然預計很高，但2019/2020咖啡年度缺少了0.63百萬袋。中美洲出口尤其受影響，下降4.9%。
後熟期效應
經過目前所收集的證據顯示，雖然COVID-19大流行對中美洲咖啡產業構成了挑戰，但因為Eta和Iota颶風而導致的損失更為嚴重。事實上，如果這兩場颶風沒有發生在中美洲區域，所有國家在2020/2021產季都會有良好的收成，並可以從近期咖啡價格上漲中受益。在歐洲和北美實施的封鎖措施導致了需求下降，因為咖啡館和餐廳關閉了，但這種效應相當暫時，隨著家庭咖啡消費的增加，需求也隨之增加。
2020大西洋颶風季空前強勁，短短兩週內，兩起強烈的颶風（4級和5級）席捲中美洲，造成廣泛的破壞。咖啡產業尤其受到重創，洪水和山崩災害給宏都拉斯、瓜地馬拉和尼加拉瓜帶來嚴重影響。不幸的是，颶風侵襲時正值咖啡採收季節前夕，導致咖啡櫻桃損失嚴重。
結論
提升咖啡產業韌性的關鍵在於採用各種策略和行動來影響整個價值鏈。一種方法是探索新的商業和貿易模式，例如直接貿易。這種方法的重點在於建立農民和買家之間的堅固關係，從而幫助增強農民的韌性。此外，通過合作社銷售認證咖啡的農民可能能夠維持對豆子的高價。這些倡議還可以幫助農民改善農耕實踐並促進可持續農業。
曾經在中美洲發生的颶風對咖啡產業是嚴重的災難，但是有辦法可以增加未來的韌性。一個重要的策略是確保農民收到公平的咖啡價格。此外，農業保險、低利貸款和復原補助金等金融支援可以幫助小規模農民應對這些挑戰。另一個重要的考慮因素是專注於增加咖啡的本地消費，這可能會為該地區開拓新的增值咖啡機會。通過實施這些策略，我們可以確保中美洲咖啡產業更好地準備迎接未來的挑戰。
CHALLENGES FOR THE COFFEE SECTOR IN CENTRAL AMERICA POST COVID-19
Coffee is more than just a beverage, it's a way of life for many Central Americans. With over 1.2 million people relying on the industry for their livelihoods in countries like Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, it's no wonder that coffee is such a vital part of the local economy. While export revenues from coffee trade can have a positive impact on these countries' GDP, many coffee farmers still struggle to make ends meet. The COVID-19 pandemic has only added to the challenges they face, including fluctuations in international coffee prices, low productivity, and the effects of climate change. Despite these obstacles, these farmers remain dedicated to growing the highest quality beans, and their passion for coffee is evident in every cup.
For many coffee farmers in Central America, their livelihood relies on a single annual paycheck from their crops. But with market prices constantly fluctuating, it can be a struggle to make ends meet. When international coffee prices drop below what it costs to produce, it can be devastating. Just take 2018, when the average price dropped a staggering 30% below the average, leaving many farmers struggling to make ends meet. But despite these challenges, the love and passion for coffee runs deep in these farmers.
Despite the challenges facing coffee farmers, the world's love for coffee continues to grow stronger by the day. According to the International Coffee Organization, global coffee consumption has risen by a steady 2% each year since 1990. While coffee consumption is on the rise in places like Europe, North and South America, and Asia, it remains steady in Central America and has even decreased in Africa. In industrialized countries, the way we enjoy coffee has changed dramatically as well, with a diverse array of flavors, origins, and forms now available thanks to the booming coffee shop culture. So, whether you're sipping on a classic black coffee or indulging in a specialty latte, one thing is for sure: the world's love for this beloved beverage is here to stay.
As coffee lovers, we're willing to pay a little extra for that perfect cup of joe. But did you know that the price we pay for a cup of coffee doesn't always make its way back to the farmers who grew it? Despite the fact that coffee prices have risen since 1990, many coffee farmers have struggled to make ends meet. From the coffee crisis of 2001 to more recent fluctuations in international coffee prices, it's been a tough road for those who grow the beans we love so much. And with climate change making farming even more difficult, it's more important than ever that we make sure the farmers who grow our coffee are able to make a sustainable living.
COVID-19 DISRUPTIONS
Immediate Effects
The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly caused some disruptions in the coffee industry. According to data from the International Coffee Organization, exports dropped by 5.8% in the first quarter of 2020, with Arabica coffee exports taking the biggest hit at a 10.1% decrease. Global production also fell by 0.9%. Despite this, consumption was still projected to be high, but fell short by 0.63 million bags for the 2019/2020 coffee year. Central American exports were particularly affected, with a 4.9% decline.
Post-harvest Effects
The coffee industry in Central America has certainly been through a tough time thanks to both the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastation caused by Hurricanes Eta and Iota. According to data from the International Coffee Organization, the impact of the pandemic was relatively short-lived, as home consumption of coffee increased and helped to offset the drop in demand from closed coffee shops and restaurants. And while the hurricanes caused some severe losses, the industry would have likely had a good harvest in the 2020/2021 season if not for their impact.
The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was one for the history books. Within just two weeks, two powerful hurricanes (categories 4 and 5) swept through Central America, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The coffee industry was hit particularly hard, with Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua experiencing severe flooding and landslides. Unfortunately, the storms struck just before the coffee picking season was set to begin, resulting in a significant loss of coffee cherries.
Conclusion
Building resilience in the coffee industry involves implementing a variety of strategies and actions throughout the entire value chain. One way to do this is by exploring new business and trade models, such as direct trade. This approach focuses on building strong relationships between farmers and buyers, which can help to strengthen the resilience of farmers. Additionally, farmers who sell certified coffee through cooperatives may be able to maintain a premium price for their beans. These initiatives can also help farmers to improve their farming practices and promote sustainable agriculture.
The recent hurricanes in Central America were truly devastating for the coffee industry, but there are ways to build resilience for the future. One key strategy is to ensure that farmers are receiving fair prices for their coffee. Additionally, financial support such as agricultural insurance, low-interest loans, and recovery subsidies can help small-scale farmers bounce back from these challenges. Another important consideration is to focus on growing local consumption of coffee, which could open up new opportunities for value-added coffee within the region. By implementing these strategies, we can make sure that the coffee industry in Central America is better prepared for whatever challenges come its way.
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