Money Read Time: 3 min

The Economic Journey of Your Morning Coffee

If you’re like 62% of Americans, you started your day with a cup of coffee. Few, if any, took a moment during this morning ritual to contemplate or marvel at the complex journey that brought their coffee from farm to their kitchen table.1

Coffee is one of the U.S.’s largest food imports. It wields an economic impact that starts with farmers from Brazil to Vietnam and ends with the barista at your local coffeehouse, involving hundreds of truckers, shippers, roasters and retail workers in between.2

More than 36 hands touch every coffee bean in the journey from bush to cup. And the original bean farmer can expect between 12 and 25 cents for every pound of gourmet coffee sold.3

Like many agricultural enterprises, coffee is grown on large plantations and small farms alike. Harvests are purchased by coffee mills located proximate to coffee growing regions, either directly from the plantation and farm cooperative, or via a trader who buys from the farmer in the hopes of re-selling at a higher price.

The mills take these “cherries”—so called because the beans are red—and brings them through a milling process that dries them and removes their husks to reveal the inner green bean.

The green beans are brought into the U.S. by importers and sold to roasters and major coffee brands whose roasting facilities are typically located in coastal cities with seaports that can receive the coffee shipments.

Once roasted, coffee will be ground (or left as whole beans), packaged and shipped to distribution centers around the country for eventual delivery to retail outlets.

Coffee’s journey to your table may travel a different path given the rise of specialty roasters and a growing connection between coffee retailers and farmers that removes many of these middlemen.

1. NCAUSA.org, March 26,2020
2. USDA.gov, 2020
3. GroundworkCoffee, 2020

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright FMG Suite.

Share |
 

Related Content

When Should You Take Social Security

When Should You Take Social Security

Monthly Social Security payments differ substantially depending on when you start receiving benefits.

What Is a Roth 401(k)?

What Is a Roth 401(k)?

Roth 401(k) plans combine features of traditional 401(k) plans with those of a Roth IRA.

Emerging Market Opportunities

Emerging Market Opportunities

What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

 

Have A Question About This Topic?







Thank you! Oops!

Social Security: Five Facts You Need to Know

Here are five facts about Social Security that are important to keep in mind.

Investment Challenges of the Affluent Investor

Affluent investors face unique challenges when putting together an investment strategy. Make sure you keep these in mind.

Understanding the Basics of Medigap Policies

Important as it is, Medicare does not cover the full range of health-care expenses you may experience in your golden years.

View all articles

Tax Freedom Day

Assess how many days you'll work to pay your federal tax liability.

Inflation & Retirement

Estimate how much income may be needed at retirement to maintain your standard of living.

Federal Income Tax

Use this calculator to estimate your income tax liability along with average and marginal tax rates.

View all calculators

Principles of Preserving Wealth

How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.

Managing Your Lifestyle

Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.

Long-Term-Care Protection Strategies

The chances of needing long-term care, its cost, and strategies for covering that cost.

View all presentations

Estate Management 101

A will may be only one of the documents you need—and one factor to consider—when it comes to managing your estate.

To Buy or Not to Buy

The decision whether to buy or rent a home may have long-term implications.

The Cost of Procrastination

Procrastination can be costly. When you get a late start, it may be difficult to make up for lost time.

View all videos