Is Specialty Coffee Actually Fair? | Stuart from Caravela Coffee

In this episode, Aaron sits down with Stuart from Caravela Coffee to unpack what happens before green coffee reaches the roastery. They explore how coffee moves through the supply chain, why transparency matters, and what “prosperous pricing” can mean for producers.It is a grounded conversation about quality, trust, the C market, and the real cost of coffee at origin. If you have ever wondered how pricing decisions affect farmers, roasters, cafés and the final cup, this episode offers a clear and honest look behind the scenes.This conversation made me pause and rethink what we’ve accepted as normal in coffee, especially around pricing and responsibility.When you break it down, a small change at the café level can mean something significant at origin. But most of us don’t see that side of things, and I think that disconnect matters.This episode is part of trying to close that gap, even just a little.Timestamps00:00 — Intro + why this podcast took time to launch03:00 — What Caravela Coffee actually does08:00 — Milling, quality control and how coffee is assessed19:00 — Challenges producers face (disease, defects, labour)20:00 — The C market explained simply24:00 — Is specialty coffee actually fair?31:00 — Pricing, risk, and instability for producers36:00 — Why small price increases matter more than we think41:00 — Australian coffee pricing vs the rest of the world47:00 — How to know if your coffee is ethical55:00 — Transparency, trust and what data actually means01:04:00 — Final thoughts on relationships and long-term commitmentKey TakeawaysSpecialty coffee isn’t just about quality — the transaction behind it mattersTransparency without context doesn’t tell the full storyThe C market sets a baseline, but it doesn’t guarantee fairnessProducers carry the most risk in the supply chainSmall increases at the consumer end can have a meaningful impact at originLong-term relationships create stability for everyone involvedStuart works with Caravela Coffee, supporting roasters through a sourcing model focused on transparency, quality control, and long-term producer relationships across Latin America.Caravela Coffee: www.caravela.coffeeSlide Coffee Roasters: www.slidecoffee.com.auIf this conversation resonated, share it with someone who cares about where their coffee comes from.And if you’ve got thoughts or questions, we’re always open to the conversation.