This is the 4th episode of a five-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro by Map It Forward Podcast hosted by Lee Safar.
Our guest on this episode of the series is Diego Baraona from El Salvador's Los Pirineos and the theme of this series is "The Current Realities Facing Coffee Producers in 2024".
In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Diego discuss the hefty financial and ethical costs associated with participating in the World Barista Championship and the broader financial dynamics of the coffee industry.
They explore who actually profits within the industry, revealing banks, landlords, equipment manufacturers, freight companies, and surprisingly, the labor force, as the main beneficiaries.
The conversation delves into the high costs of production, rental crises affecting cafes, and the alarming interest rates faced by producers. They also touch upon the consequences of agricultural practices and international trade issues, such as reliance on imported goods and the impact of geopolitical conflicts on supply chains.
The episode concludes with reflections on the future of the coffee industry and the challenges of achieving sustainability and fairness.
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