136,961 research outputs found
Impact of the International Coffee Agreement's export quota system on the World's coffee market
No full textEx-post simulations of the global coffee model over the recent period of operation of the International Coffee Agreement's export quota system, (1981-86) show the following. The quota system had a stabilizing effect on world coffee prices in the 1981-85 period. In 1986, when coffee prices increased sharply due to the drought in Brazil and the export quotas were suspended, prices would have been 24 percent higher in the absence of quotas over the 1981-85 period. However, the quotas have reduced export revenues (in real terms), except for such large producers as Brazil and Colombia. These countries gained form the scheme because they face very small or even zero marginal export revenues from increased exports, due to their large market shares. In projections of the coffee market, with and without the export quota system, prices would be substantially lower during the first half of the 1990s if the quota system were suspended in 1990. But prices would recover in the second half of the decade as production and exports declined in lagged response to the very low prices of the first half.Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Markets and Market Access,Access to Markets,Crops&Crop Management Systems
Habitual coffee consumption and blood pressure: An epidemiological perspective
No full textThis paper summarizes the current epidemiological evidence on coffee consumption in relation to blood pressure (BP) and risk of hypertension. Data from crosssectional studies suggest an inverse linear or U-shaped association of habitual coffee use with BP in different populations. Prospective studies suggest a protective effect of high coffee intake (4 or more cups per day) against hypertension, mainly in women. Furthermore, the risk of hypertension may be lower in coffee abstainers. Randomized controlled trials, which are mostly of short duration (1¿12 weeks), have shown that coffee intake around 5 cups per day causes a small elevation in BP (~2/1 mmHg) when compared to abstinence or use of decaffeinated coffee. With regard to underlying biological mechanisms, most research has been devoted to BP-raising effects of caffeine. However, there are many other substances in coffee, such as polyphenols, soluble fi bre and potassium, which could exert a beneficial effect in the cardiovascular system. Although the precise nature of the relation between coffee and BP is still unclear, most evidence suggests that regular intake of caffeinated coffee does not increase the risk of hypertensio
Dealing with the coffee crisis in Central America - impacts and strategies
No full textCurrent coffee prices are at record lows and below the cost of production for many producers in Central America. Moreover, the coffee crisis is structural, and changes in supply and demand do not indicate a quick recovery of prices. So, coffee producers in Central America are facing new challenges-as are coffee laborers, coffee exporters, and others linked to the coffee sector. Coffee plays a major economic role in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The coffee crisis is actually part of a broader rural crisis caused by weather shocks (such as Hurricane Mitch and droughts), low international agricultural commodity prices, and the global recession. These challenges call for new strategies for Central American countries aimed at broad-based sustainable development of their rural economies. The authors deal with the impact of the coffee crisis and strategies to deal with it. They include an analysis of the international coffee situation and country-specific analyses. The authors explore options and constraints for increased competitiveness and diversification, and discuss social, environmental, and institutional dimensions of the crisis. The authors conclude that there are specific solutions that can be pursued for the coffee sector. Some are already being applied, but more can be done in a more systematic way. Also, there is a need for safety nets to deal with the short-term impact of the crisis. Longer-term solutions are to be found in increased competitiveness and diversification in the context of broad-based sustainable rural economic development.Crops&Crop Management Systems,Environmental Economics&Policies,Labor Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Markets and Market Access,Crops&Crop Management Systems,Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Access to Markets,Markets and Market Access
Prospective study of coffee and tea consumption in relation to risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus among men and women: The Whitehall II study
No full textAt least fourteen cohort studies have documented all inverse association between coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes. We examined the prospective association between coffee and tea consumption and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus among British men (n 4055) and women (n 1768) from the Whitehall II cohort. During 11.7 years follow-up there were a total of 387 incident cases of diabetes confirmed by Self-report of doctor's diagnosis or glucose tolerance tests. Despite an inverse association between coffee intake and 2 h post-load glucose concentration at the baseline assessment, combined caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee (hazard ratio (HR) 0-80 95% CI 0.54, 1.18) or only decaffeinated coffee intake (HR 0.65: 95% CI 0.36, 1.16) was not significantly associated with diabetes risk at follow-up after adjustment for possible confounders. There was all association between tea intake and diabetes (HR 0.66: 95% CI 0.61, 1.22: P<0.05) after adjustment for age. gender. ethnicity and social status, which was not robust to further adjustments. There was. however, an association between combined intake of tea and coffee (two or more cups per clay of both beverage) and diabetes (HR 0.68: 95% CI 0.46, 0.99: P<0.05) after full adjustment. In conclusion, relatively moderate intake (more than three CLIPS per (lay) of coffee and tea were not prospectively associated with incidence of type 2 diabetes although there was evidence of a combined effect. The limited range of exposure and beverage consumption according to socio-economic class may explain these conflicting findings
What is the structure of the coffee market: Can the real poor benefit from the coffee trade?
No full textThis article deals with the trade with coffee. The primary aim of the paper is to analyse the international coffee trade. Because coffee belongs to the cash crops we have focus on the production. We have analysed the structure of the trade concerning the green (not roasted) coffee, roasted coffee and coffee extracts, essences or concentrates. The analyses of production show enormous differences between developed and developing countries on the supply side. Dissimilarity appeared in the price system. Our results show that developing countries (especially least developed countries) cannot fully benefit from the international trade because they are placed just on the lowest level of the production vertical line. The results prove that there must exist strong influence of the supply chains. This is connected with the export of roasted coffee and import of the green coffee.Coffee market, international trade, prices, supply chains, developing countries, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, International Relations/Trade, GA, IN,
The composition of wax and oil in green coffee beans
No full textMethods for the isolation of wax and oil from green coffee beans were studied and a method for the quantitative extraction of coffee oil from the beans was introduced. Coffee wax, coffee oil and wax-free coffee oil as well as the unsaponifiable matter prepared from each were fractionated by column chromatography. The chemical composition of the fractions was studied by thin-layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, ultraviolet, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. The results include qualitative and quantitative data on (1) the total fatty acid composition as well as the composition of the fatty acids in triglycerides and diterpene alcohol esters, (2) the positional distribution of the fatty acids in the triglycerides, (3) the unsaponifiable matter and (4) Nβ -alkanoyl-5-hydroxy-tryptamines (C-5-HT) and other C-5-HT-like phenolic compounds.The unsaponifiable matter (3) was fractionated into diterpene alcohols, sterols and hydrocarbons (including squalene and n -alkanes from C 16 to C 31 ). Moreover the presence of α-tocopherol and (β+ γ)-tocopherol in green coffee beans was described for the first time.In view of the results of this study the removal of coffee wax by industrial processes, which are claimed to have a beneficial effect on the digestibility of coffee, was discussed. The current literature on the lipids of green coffee beans was extensively reviewed
Coffee protects cardiovascular health by maintaining the structure of coronary arterial wall intimal collagen
No full textThis study aimed to determine whether coffee consumption affects the structure of coronary arterial wall and protects against coronary artery disease (CAD) in atherosclerotic rat model induced by periodontitis. Rats (n=21) were divided into three groups (i) Coffee group (periodontitis + coffee), (ii) Peri-odontitis group (no coffee), and (iii) Control group (no periodontitis, no coffee). A single dose of coffee suspension (representing one cup) was given daily by stomach sondation to the rats in the coffee group. The experiment was conducted for 5 wk. At the completion of the experiment, all of rats were sac-rificed. Their hearts containing coronary arteries were removed and analyzed by histochemistry assay. In addition, the serum level of collagen degrading enzymes matrix metalloproteinase–2 (MMP–2) was also analyzed using Enzyme–link immunosorbent assay (Elisa). Results demonstrated that coronary atherosclerotic lesions including atheroma, stenosis, and vascular occlusion were rarely identified in the coffee group. The coronary arterial wall demonstrated relatively symmetrical intima-media thickness (IMT) and the lumen diameter remained adequate for blood flow. The intimal collagen was intact, dense and thick. MMP–2 level was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the coffee group. In conclusion, coffee maintained the structure of coronary arterial wall particularly the intimal collagen, providing protection against CAD. This might also mediate the vascular resistance against rupture and thrombosis that might precipitate the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).</p
Dust Exposure and Chronic Respiratory Symptoms Among Coffee Curing Workers in Kilimanjaro: A Cross Sectional Study.
No full textCoffee processing causes organic dust exposure which may lead to development of respiratory symptoms. Previous studies have mainly focused on workers involved in roasting coffee in importing countries. This study was carried out to determine total dust exposure and respiratory health of workers in Tanzanian primary coffee-processing factories. A cross sectional study was conducted among 79 workers in two coffee factories, and among 73 control workers in a beverage factory. Personal samples of total dust (n = 45 from the coffee factories and n = 19 from the control factory) were collected throughout the working shift from the breathing zone of the workers. A questionnaire with modified questions from the American Thoracic Society questionnaire was used to assess chronic respiratory symptoms. Differences between groups were tested by using independent t-tests and Chi square tests. Poisson Regression Model was used to estimate prevalence ratio, adjusting for age, smoking, presence of previous lung diseases and years worked in dusty factories. All participants were male. The coffee workers had a mean age of 40 years and were older than the controls (31 years). Personal total dust exposure in the coffee factories were significantly higher than in the control factory (geometric mean (GM) 1.23 mg/m3, geometric standard deviation (GSD) (0.8) vs. 0.21(2.4) mg/m3). Coffee workers had significantly higher prevalence than controls for cough with sputum (23% vs. 10%; Prevalence ratio (PR); 2.5, 95% CI 1.0-5.9) and chest tightness (27% vs. 13%; PR; 2.4, 95% CI 1.1-5.2). The prevalence of morning cough, cough with and without sputum for 4 days or more in a week was also higher among coffee workers than among controls. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Workers exposed to coffee dust reported more respiratory symptoms than did the controls. This might relate to their exposure to coffee dust. Interventions for reduction of dust levels and provision of respiratory protective equipment are recommended
THE LATIN AMERICAN ORGANIC COFFEE INDUSTRY: U.S. MARKET INROADS
No full textCertified organic coffee is a minuscule but important portion of coffee production and trade and is the fastest growing sector in sales revenue. Organic coffee has its roots in sustainable crop production and economic development policy. Latin America has become the center of the organic coffee movement, representing a change from the old market structure of the coffee trade. The U.S. organic coffee market has experienced extraordinary growth in the past five years because of an increase in consumer social and ecological awareness. Latin America supplies most of the organic coffee entering the United States, where Mexico, Colombia, and Guatemala are the main exporters. Colombian and Guatemalan organic coffee, according to the survey, receive the highest price premiums because of the perception of superior quality. Surveyed importers and roasters in the United States believe that the organic coffee market will continue to grow at least for the next 10 years. Oversupply, economies of size, and reduced price premiums are seen as the biggest problems to be faced by organic coffee producers in the coming years.Agribusiness, Crop Production/Industries, Industrial Organization,
Geographical Indications for Kodagu Coffee – A Socio-economic Feasibility Analysis
No full textThe feasibility of Geographical Indications (GI) for the Kodagu coffee has been explored, as the coffee is grown under shade and unique conditions in the midst of rich biodiversity; as a result, the productivity of coffee turns out to be relatively low. The results have indicated that productivity of coffee is lower (6 q/ acre) when grown under high shade and native tree cover than under low shade condition (8.9 q/acre). Although, the difference in cost of cultivation between the two shade conditions is not significant, the net gain is to the tune of Rs 10.40/kg for the planters growing under low shade and exotic trees cover. The net loss has been estimated to be around Rs 15.50/kg for the planters growing under high shade and native trees cover. The marginal loss in the productivity of coffee due to shade is not directly reimbursable through the shade benefits. Hence, the coffee planters need to be compensated through a price premium for their products produced under rich biodiversity, thus requiring the GI that ensures quality and price.Agricultural and Food Policy,
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