Recently, high school students interviewed Mr. Mamoru Araki, President of Ataka Trading Co., Ltd. The theme was the future of coffee, an essential part of our daily lives. In particular, they discussed various challenges and solutions, focusing on the “2050 coffee problem.” We will introduce the details of that interview below.

The Coffee Problem of 2050

The “2050 coffee problem” refers to the serious issue that, due to the effects of global warming, the production of delicious coffee could be halved by 2050.

The areas suitable for growing coffee beans are limited, and they are extremely sensitive to changes in temperature and rainfall. As global warming progresses, these areas are expected to shrink, making coffee cultivation more difficult.

Impact on production areas

The “2050 coffee problem” is expected to affect various coffee-producing regions, but Brazil is said to be the most affected. In other countries, manual harvesting is the norm, but it is highly susceptible to weather conditions and serious insect damage.

If these problems worsen, it could lead to soaring coffee prices and unemployment among people working on coffee plantations.

The background behind the surge in coffee prices

Currently, a cup of coffee is trading for 400 cents, and the following factors are thought to be contributing to this price surge.

The first issue is the imbalance between supply and demand. While global coffee consumption is increasing, coffee stocks in Brazil are decreasing.

Secondly, economic factors such as the impact of exchange rates (weak yen) and hoarding by some wealthy individuals are driving up prices.

For a deeper understanding: Coffee and the SDGs

The coffee trade is deeply intertwined with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). The following points are particularly noteworthy:
Poverty: Promoting fair trade is essential to supporting the livelihoods of people working on coffee plantations.

Environmental issues: Measures to combat global warming and reduce pesticide use are required.

A message to high school students: Lessons from Malawian coffee

The interview also discussed ways to get middle and high school students interested in Malawian coffee.

Malawi is known for producing high-quality coffee beans, but this is not yet widely known.
To convey the appeal of Malawian coffee, it is important to highlight its origin and emphasize that it is produced in “Malawi.”

summary

This interview revealed that there are many challenges facing the future of coffee. However, at the same time, there are many things that each of us can do. We will actively work to solve these problems through the NPO Seibo.

For more details about our activities with students, please click here .

Click here for information on Warm Hearts Coffee Club’s activities with companies .

About Warm Hearts Coffee Club

This is a donation-based coffee brand by Seibo, a non-profit organization that provides school meal support in Malawi, Africa. In Japan, in addition to selling coffee, they partner with schools to deepen students’ learning from the perspectives of international aid, supply chain management, and marketing. They also have the support of many supporting companies, including Ataka Trading Co., Ltd., which is involved in coffee import business.

Please visit the NPO Seibo website here .