This brief analyzes power imbalances in the global coffee trade that leave smallholder farmers in poverty while multinational corporations and certifying bodies capture most of the value. It argues that market-driven practices and weak regulation undermine the effectiveness of certifications and price supports. The brief proposes decentralizing certification, enforcing living-income due diligence, and strengthening transparency and stakeholder governance to promote equity and sustainability in the coffee sector.

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December 12, 2025