According to legend, a goatherd found his flock frolicking about after munching on coffee cherries. From food and drink for African tribesmen, coffee evolved into a global phenomenon of extravagant proportions. A frost damaged about half of the country’s coffee trees. When another frost had again hit world’s largest coffee grower in Brazil, Brazil suspended all shipments. Pending assessment of damage and uneasy importers, fearing a shortage, went on a buying spree. Farmers have long periods of low prices, short periods of high ones. When highs occur, farmers rush to plant. Overproduction follows, prices fall. Farmers tear their plants and plant more stable crops. A disruption will start the cycle again.Producers and consumers agree that the only solution is to limit output to what the market can absorb and sell at reasonable prices. By imposing a quota system, they can limit the outflow of beans from producing nations in times of oversupply.

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