Read this essay to learn about Coffee. After reading this essay you will learn about: 1. Evolution of Coffee 2. Types of Coffee 3. Geographical Conditions 4. Other Producing Countries 5. International Trade.
Essay on Evolution of Coffee:
Coffee is a mild stimulating popular drink all over the world. It was first seen in the districts of Kaffa, Ethiopia. Thus, the name coffee has been given. Later on, it was transported to different parts of the world. The geographical distribution of coffee cultivation, however, had experienced several changes.
Earlier, Arabian countries had superiority in famous Mocha coffee cultivation. But after the introduction of coffee in West Indies the Arabian supremacy did not last long. The colonial rulers —specially the Dutch—tried coffee plantations in their colonies. Gradually, East Indies and, later on, Brazil, became outstanding producers of coffee.
Essay on Types of Coffee:
According to nature, characteristics and geographical distribution, coffee plants are of three types:
(a) Coffea Robusta:
Mostly grows on lowlands of African plateaus. It contributes 15- 20% of global output.
(b) Coffea Arabica:
According to volume of production and popularity, it is the most important and contributes 70-80% of global output. It grows in the slopes of the highlands.
Inferior grade coffee, contributes only 5-10% of global output and grows in Africa.
Essay on Geographical Conditions of Coffee:
(a) Physical conditions:
Coffee grows in warm climate. An average temperature between 20°-27° C is ideal for coffee trees. Low temperature, particularly frost, is harmful to coffee plants.
As a tropical crop, it requires moderate to high annual rainfall —between 150-275 cm.
Coffee is a shade-loving plant. To save coffee plants from scorching heat, banana and other plants are also cultivated.
Like tea, coffee also grows well in well-drained soil where no water logging occurs. Iron and potash content of the soil increase coffee productivity.
(b) Economic conditions:
Coffee cultivation is a labour-intensive activity. Growing, collecting, processing require huge labour.
Plantation of coffee is a capital-intensive activity. It requires huge capital,
Good transport network is a prime requisite, otherwise export may suffer.
(iv) International Market:
Coffee is cultivated for overseas market. Any price fluctuation may hamper cultivation badly.
Essay on Geographical Distribution of Coffee:
Coffee cultivation is essentially confined in tropical and sub-tropical regions within 20° North and South latitudes.
Altogether, four geographical regions are famous for coffee production:
(a) South America:
Comprising countries like Brazil, Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador and Peru. This region contributes more than 70% of global production.
(b) S.E. Asia:
Comprising countries like Indonesia, India, etc.
Comprising Kenya, Uganda, Congo, etc.
(d) Caribbean region:
Comprising Mexico, Guatemala, etc.
Brazil is the largest coffee-producer and exporter in the world. Coffee export immensely influences its national economy. In 1996-97, the country produced 1.37 million tons — 22% of global production. The area under coffee production is highest in the world—nearly 2 million hectares.
Coffee cultivation is very old in Brazil, started way back in 1774. Since then the country has been able to retain its top position in the production and export of coffee. Various factors favoured coffee plantation in Brazil.
Some of the important factors are:
(i) Volcanic Terrarosa soil.
(ii) High temperature and rainfall throughout the year.
(iii) Good drainage system.
(iv) Cheap labour and good transportation network.
(v) Vast international market and export facilities.
The major producing districts are Sao Paolo, Parana, Expirito, Santos and Minas Gerais.
Most of the Brazilian coffee estates are large. Huge amount of capital and bulk of the labour are directly involved in this industry. Any disaster—either crop failure or export mishap — may directly hamper Brazil’s national economy.
To combat this problem, Brazil adopted a unique policy — Valorisation. In this system, excess crop is either destroyed or dumped in order to maintain a steady international demand. Efforts are made to regulate supply to maintain international price status quo.
The recurrence of crop failure, attacks of pests, soil erosion, low productivity and age-old plantations are some of the chronic problems of Brazilian coffee industry. Quality of Brazilian coffee suffers when more emphasis is give on quantity of production.
Columbia is the second-largest coffee producing country. In 1996-97, it produced .75 million tons or 14% of the global output. Columbian coffee is predominantly of high quality.
Volcanic fertile soil, well-drained mountain slopes of Andes and favourable climate provide facilities for coffee cultivation. The producing areas are Bogota, Medellin, Manizales and Tolima.
Columbia is a poor country. Coffee exports earn a sizable revenue to the national economy. Here, coffee estates are smaller in size to Brazil’s.
Indonesia is the third-largest coffee-producing country in the world. In 1996- 97, the country produced nearly .48 million tons or 7.2% of the global coffee production. During colonial period, Dutch planters first started coffee cultivation. Sumatra and Java islands are famous for coffee production.
India is the seventh-largest coffee-producing country, accounting for nearly 3.5% of global production. In 1996-97, the country produced nearly .19 million tons in 25 million hectares of land. Coffee production in India is overwhelmingly concentrated in the southern states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. India exports some amount of its coffee production.
Essay on Other Producing Countries of Coffee:
Among the other important producing countries Ivory coast, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia in Africa; China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand in Asia and Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador in Central America.
Essay on International Trade of Coffee:
Among the exporting countries, Brazil is the undisputed leader, followed by Columbia, Mexico, Uganda, Kenya, Indonesia, India, etc.
Important importing countries are U.S.A., Japan, France, Germany, U.K., Russia, etc..