Who are considered smallholder farmers in the coffee industry?

Smallholder farmers are typically defined as those who cultivate smaller plots of land, usually fewer than 12 hectares. This classification is important in the coffee industry as these farmers often rely heavily on coffee cultivation as their primary source of income. Their economic stability usually hinges on the coffee market, which makes issues like pricing, sustainability, and ethical sourcing particularly significant for them.

The focus on smaller landholdings highlights the significant role that these farmers play in providing a substantial portion of the world's coffee supply. By being dependent on coffee for their livelihood, smallholder farmers are often more involved in local agricultural practices and sustainable farming methods, which can contribute to ethical sourcing efforts.

In contrast, larger landholders or farmers involved in large-scale exports do not fit the smallholder category, as their farming operations typically encompass far larger areas and often feature different economic structures. Additionally, the classification does not solely hinge on farming practices, such as organic farming, but rather on the scale of acreage and financial reliance on coffee as a crop. This contextual understanding helps clarify the importance of smallholder farmers within both the coffee supply chain and the broader discussions of ethical sourcing practices.