The past two weeks in Costa Rica have been an eye-opening experience. I have learned the intricacies of the coffee industry and developed an appreciation for its layered complexity. We have also dabbled in the supply chain of bananas at Dole and this has expanded my analysis of the production process itself. My group has specifically focused on how the product is brought to market, the logistics of supply chain. This process begins between the banana herbs and coffee trees; it starts on the physical plantation grounds. Coffee is grown throughout the year but is only harvested within a few months, from about November to January. The banana harvest occurs year-round as the bananas are always being collected, herbs are cut down, and new plants grow in their place. Both growing processes require immense manual labor as each plant or tree must be tended to about three times to ensure only the best quality. The bananas must receive proper nutrients and the coffee cherries must be ripe for the highest quality coffee beans. Delivering premium coffee bags or picture perfect bananas starts on the farm and I had never expected the labor to be so extensive. In America, agriculture is different as farmers tend to use the latest tractors and technology, so I was surprised to see employees spend countless hours picking and hauling produce.
After the coffee is picked and bananas are harvested, both must go through a variety of steps in order to prepare for transport. In coffee, I learned that there are several processing steps, including a dry or wet process to remove the beans from the fruit, milling for the remaining parchment, and finally roasting the beans at different temperatures. The density of the bean dictates its quality and the roast determines its final flavor. Then the coffee must be packaged in a specific way so that freshness is ensured, and spoilage is prevented. My group analyzed the exportation process and I was fascinated to learn that such a large portion of the premium coffee produced in Costa Rica is exported overseas. The process is thorough, including many certifications and hurdles that the companies must go through so that the coffee can be shipped. The coffee and bananas must be packaged in a way that ensures freshness so certain containers and conditions are required. Additionally, all companies want their process to be most efficient and secure so there are systems in place to guarantee the coffee can be tracked and protected. The exportation services must also abide by Costa Rican laws and customs pertaining to the content of the product. I was shocked to see the government become so invested in the coffee industry, especially with ICAFE as they must sign off that coffee is high quality and Arabica in order to put the country’s name on the labels.
Throughout the coffee supply chain, there can be many different parties involved. Sometimes the coffee producer can grow the coffee cherries and end up selling the final product of a brewed cup. Other instances, one farmer may grow and process the coffee and another may roast it and brew it for consumption. Unlike coffee, it is common for large banana producers like Dole to complete the entire supply chain process themselves. They grow, harvest, and export the fruit to large retailers throughout the world. Coffee roasters can create a variety of tastes based on how long the beans are roasted; they can also brew multiple drinks using different blends and brewing methods. I learned that bananas are a monoculture, meaning that each one is a clone of each other, so all bananas have around the same size and taste. In terms of logistics, the coffee supply chain may deliver the current state of the product to other producers for further processing. The banana supply chain simply ships the final product to retail stores and fruits are directly sold there. I was intrigued to understand and tour the different steps in both banana and coffee production. Tasting different flavors of coffee was interesting and I originally thought most coffee tasted the same, but preparation and brew creates a variety of flavors.
The customers of coffee and bananas both overlap and vary. The number one nation for banana consumption is Sweden, but the United States also purchases many bananas from Latin American nations such as Costa Rica. America is the number one consumer and export for premium quality coffee made in Costa Rica. Both productions rely heavily on the market within the United States in order to earn profit, but I have seen bananas and coffee popularly consumed in Costa Rica throughout my time here in this country. At first perception, I thought all ticos drank the most premium quality coffee in the world, but I quickly learned how costly this would be and how profit margins are much greater if exported to other nations. There were local roasters such as Café 1821 that sell and deliver their products to local grocery stores, but the quality and price tags are not as high. Over the course of the trip, I have learned more about the supply chain of coffee and bananas than I could have ever imagined. I really enjoyed the opportunity to personally experience a different culture and I will cherish the information and memories made in Costa Rica…Pura Vida!
As Professor Teeter would say, Ainsley Out!