Revaluing Peasant Coffee Production: Organic and Fair Trade Markets in Mexico

This case study of coffee farmers in Oaxaca examines certification schemes and their affects on helping solve the coffee crisis for small-scale producers. How have organic, shade-grown, and/or Fair Trade certification helped or hindered Oaxacan farmers? The study concludes that organic certification generally fails to cover the increased costs of production; Fair Trade certification, however, "have been a lifeline for those able to gain access to this market." However, access to these markets is difficult, and returns are still low. Fair Trade certification is a good start, but "a more comprehensive approach to the problem is needed. This would involve changes in rural development policies at the national level...in addition to direct support programs."