Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers

Read the passage and select ALL correct options. Wrong selections lose points.

The global coffee trade connects millions of smallholder farmers, mostly in tropical regions, to consumers thousands of miles away through a chain involving processors, exporters, roasters, and retailers. Coffee prices are notoriously volatile, driven by weather events, currency fluctuations, and speculative trading on commodity exchanges, leaving farmers vulnerable to sudden income drops despite steady demand from consumers. Certification schemes promising fair prices and sustainable farming practices have grown popular among consumers, though studies show the premiums paid rarely translate into large income gains for farmers once certification and auditing costs are deducted. Climate change poses a further threat, as rising temperatures are shrinking the land suitable for growing high-quality arabica beans, prompting some farmers to shift toward more heat-tolerant robusta varieties despite their generally lower market value.