Coffee, tea and cocoa
Production of coffee, tea and cocoa has a major impact on the surrounding environment and people's well-being. Purchasers can contribute to a more sustainable cultivation and production of coffee, tea and cocoa by taking environmental and social considerations into procurement.
Coffee, tea and cocoa are produced in countries with tropical or subtropical climate where the export of these crops is a vital income source for many people in rural areas. At the same time, the production has an impact on the surrounding environment as well as the wellbeing of people working in cultivation. A similarity between the coffee, tea and coca plants are their common sensitivity for weather changes which makes them all highly threatened by the ongoing climate change. To take environmental and social responsibility when procuring coffee, tea and cocoa can contribute to a more sustainable cultivation and production of these products.
Swedish coffee consumption is among the highest in the world. According to the Swedish Board of Agriculture swedes consume 9 kilos of coffee per person every year. The largest coffee-producing countries are Brazil, Vietnam and Colombia followed by Indonesia and Honduras.* Conventional cultivation of coffee uses synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Toxic residues from their use can accumulate in the soil and water and affect the surrounding environment and people.
Deforestation makes room for new plantations, which negatively affects biodiversity and increases carbon dioxide emissions. The loss of forest also leaves soils unprotected from rain which can lead to erosion.
Coffee production often occurs in small scale in countries with widespread poverty and many millions of small-scale growers are estimated to rely on coffee for their livelihood. ** Small-scale coffee growers often live under uncertain economic circumstances, partly due to fluctuations in the world market price for coffee. Social and economic dimensions of sustainability could therefore be particularly important in the procurement of these products.
The most important exporting countries of tea are Kenya and Sri Lanka and most major tea exporters are countries with widespread poverty in Africa and Asia. Worldwide, 5.5 million tonnes of tea per year is consumed, in Sweden approximately 0.3 kg per person and year. The tea plant is very sensitive to weather changes and tea production which generates income for millions of people in rural areas is currently threatened by ongoing climate change. *** Living and working conditions for workers and tea-plantations have in some cases been documented as inadequate by, among others, the ILO (International Labor Organization).
Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana produce about 70% of global cocoa consumption. Cocoa is the main source of income for between 40 and 50 million people worldwide and over 5 million small farmers grow cocoa. In Côte d'Ivoire, however, average cocoa-producing households earn only 37% of what is considered living income. **** In Sweden in 2016 about 2 kilograms of cocoa per person were consumed in the form of beverages, powder and sauce while consumption of chocolate amounted to 6.5 kilos per person. ***** International Cocoa Association (ICCO) reports that unstable world market prices, low incomes, and cocoa growers' social and labour conditions are major sustainability challenges for the sector.
*International Coffee Organization, 2017
**Enveritas Global Farmer Study, 2018
*** Jordbruksverket, 2018, FAO, 2018
**** Cocoa Barometer, 2018
***** Jordbruksverket, 2018 Delfi totalmarknadsskattning, 2016 SCB Befolkningsstatistik, 2016
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Criteria group
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| EU-organic product | Core | Technical specification | Coffee, tea and cocoa | ||
Criterion information Organic production promotes sustainable agriculture. Organic farming should respect nature's ecosystems and different natural cycles, and strive to maintain and improve the quality of soil, water, plant health and the health of animals. The balance between all elements is to be maintained and preferably improved. Criterion text Food products must be produced in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council on organic production and labelling of organic products. | |||||
| Organic production and socially responsible cultivation – coffee, cocoa | Advanced | Special contract terms | Coffee, tea and cocoa | ||
Criterion information Organic production is made with respect for natural ecosystems and nature’s own cycles. It aims at maintaining and improve soil and water quality as well as the viability of crops and plants. Organic cultivation of coffee and cocoa may also consider social aspects of sustainability. Criterion text The supplier’s commitment: The supplier must, from the start of the contract only supply products of coffee and cocoa which fulfil criteria according to Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parlament and of the Council on organic production and labelling of organic products and are cultivated under working conditions compatible with:
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| Environmentally sustainable cultivation – coffee, tea, cocoa | Advanced | Technical specification | Coffee, tea and cocoa | ||
Criterion information Cultivation of coffee, tea and cocoa takes place in tropical and subtropical climates and can have great impact on the surrounding environment, climate emissions and local eco-systems. Procuring agencies can request that conventionally grown coffee, tea and cocoa-products fulfil environmental requirements, for example regarding the protection of natural and especially sensitive ecosystems. Criterion text Products of coffee, tea and cocoa must come from cultivation where at least the following measures are made to minimize the impact on the environment, climate and local ecosystems:
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| Socially responsible cultivation - coffee, tea and cocoa | Core | Special contract terms | Coffee, tea and cocoa | ||
Criterion information Cultivation of coffee, tea and cocoa include risks for unfair working conditions. To choose products which promotes sound working conditions creates conditions for long term sustainable production systems in which also considers environmental and economic sustainability for coffee, tea and cocoa growers. Criterion text The supplier’s commitment: The supplier must, from the start of the contract only supply products of coffee, tea and cocoa which are cultivated under working conditions compatible with:
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| Socially responsible cultivation and fair trade - coffee, tea and cocoa | Advanced | Special contract terms | Coffee, tea and cocoa | ||
Criterion information Cultivation of coffee, tea and cocoa often takes place in countries with extensive poverty and growers live under unstable economic conditions, partly due to fluctuations in the world market price. To choose products which promotes sound working conditions and also contributes to fair trade conditions can contribute to improvements in the economic preconditions for growers. Criterion text The supplier’s commitment: The supplier must, from the start of the contract only supply products of coffee, tea and cocoa which are cultivated under working conditions compatible with:
The grower must also be guaranteed:
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