A wake-up call for coffee growers

Nothing to do with KM this morning, but a subject that is dear to my adrenaline pump. The McKinsey Quarterly, Chart Focus column for March 2004 is A wake-up call for coffee growers that shows an interesting graphic of profitability vs. % of commodity exports in the coffee-growing countries of the world. There aren't many countries / growers making much money.

Productivity improvements have changed the cost structure of the coffee bean industry, leaving many traditional growers in the red. A McKinsey study suggests that they go upscale, diversify, or get out.

Image linked from the McKinsey site. Click to get to the full article:
Chart from article - click here if missing

2 Comment(s)

Personally, I need 3 cups of real coffee before I can do anything

Personally, I need 3 cups of real coffee before I can do anything

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Picture a steaming coffee cup. Better yet, grab one and have a read!