The Global Coffee Value Chain: An Economic Analysis of Production, Market Structure, and Value Distribution

This thesis investigates how production, trade, and market dynamics shape the distribution of value in the global coffee industry, highlighting the persistent disparities between producing and consuming countries. The analysis begins by outlining the historical origins and botanical diversity of coffee, providing essential context for understanding the industry's structure. It then explores the technical production cycle and the organization of the supply chain, emphasizing the geographical separation between producing and consuming regions. Building on this framework, the study compares the competitive strategies and technological models adopted by major producing countries, highlighting divergent development paths influenced by structural constraints and resource endowments. It further examines demand patterns, pricing mechanisms, and price transmission dynamics to assess how risks and margins are allocated along the value chain. The findings reveal persistent imbalances in the global coffee value chain, affecting value distribution and defining the position and role of producing countries within the global market.