Third, none of the certification regimes has been able to generate substantial changes in the structure of the coffee value
chain. Primary coffee producers still receive no more than
6–8% of the consumer price
12
and options for providing pre-finance (as part of the contract) have hardly improved.
Coffee cooperatives could slightly reinforce their service provision to members and their bargaining position with traders,
but many farmers increasingly rely on time side-sales (’hawking’) to outside agents to overcome market outlet constraints.
Over time, non-certified coffee producers demonstrate to be
able to reach similar output and yield levels and initial advantages of certification tend to disappear gradually. Moreover,
some improvements in village service provision are registered
particularly for Fairtrade-certified producers, but linkages of coffee farmers with other social or community organizations
generally deteriorated.