Origins & Terroir
Direct Trade
A sourcing model in which roasters buy coffee directly from producers, bypassing traditional exporters and importers. Direct trade emphasizes personal relationships, price transparency, and quality feedback loops.
Chuyên sâu
Unlike Fair Trade, which is a third-party certification, direct trade is a self-declared practice with no universal standard. At its best, direct trade involves farm visits, collaborative quality improvement, multi-year purchasing commitments, and prices well above commodity or Fair Trade minimums. Critics note that without independent verification, the term can be used loosely by roasters who simply buy from an exporter they know. Leading direct-trade roasters publish their FOB prices and farm-gate payments to demonstrate transparency.