Industry & Trade
Direct Trade
A sourcing philosophy where roasters purchase coffee directly from producers, establishing ongoing relationships that bypass conventional supply chain intermediaries. Unlike Fair Trade, direct trade has no formal certification body.
Mendalam
Direct trade emerged in the early 2000s as specialty roasters like Intelligentsia, Counter Culture, and Stumptown sought closer producer relationships and higher quality. The model typically involves farm visits, cupping feedback, multi-year contracts, and prices significantly above Fair Trade minimums. Some roasters publish transparent pricing reports showing farm-gate, FOB, and landed costs. Without standardized criteria, however, the term is sometimes applied loosely. The strongest direct trade relationships function as partnerships where roasters invest in processing equipment, agronomic advice, or variety experimentation at origin.
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