“In the long run, we are all dead” – Some thoughts on coffee macroeconomics and possible countercyclical action

This is part of a multi-part blog series following up on my talk at the SCA’s Re:Co Symposium. In my talk, inter alia I argued that differentiation strategies may not be enough to solve fundamental macroeconomic issues; rather, I called for a holistic ‘sprinkler solution’ to the ‘macro-economic fire’ the sector is facing. This blog … Continue reading “In the long run, we are all dead” – Some thoughts on coffee macroeconomics and possible countercyclical action

Using Blockchain for Supply Chain Transparency: Fad or Future?

When talking about technological innovations that could revolutionize agricultural value chains, one term comes up time and again: the blockchain. However, the term also creates a lot of confusion and questions in people’s minds: What is it? How is it different from Bitcoin? What can it be used for? And how far we are in … Continue reading Using Blockchain for Supply Chain Transparency: Fad or Future?

Too Big to be Challenged? Consolidation in the Global Agrochemical World

I’ve been thinking a lot about power lately. Market power, to be precise. The coffee industry has always been relatively concentrated, but currently it is undergoing a period of consolidation that is reverberating across the sector. And it’s not alone: one of the most surprising news stories in recent weeks has been the announced $66 billion … Continue reading Too Big to be Challenged? Consolidation in the Global Agrochemical World

Learning from Coca-Cola: Last-Mile Humanitarian Supply Chain Innovations

It stands to argue that Coca-Cola is one of the multinationals that elicits the strongest love-hate feelings by the public. It is vilified for its influence on global obesity rates and its undue influence on public health policies, causes outrage over the fact that the acidity of its soda dissolves egg shells, and produces accusations of hypocrisy … Continue reading Learning from Coca-Cola: Last-Mile Humanitarian Supply Chain Innovations

The Forgotten War Crime: Starvation in Syria

“Let me be clear: The use of starvation as a weapon of war is a war crime. All sides — including the Syrian government, which has the primary responsibility to protect Syrians — are committing this and other atrocious acts prohibited under international humanitarian law.” This stark statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on January … Continue reading The Forgotten War Crime: Starvation in Syria

Putting Meat on the Bones of a Climate Agreement

One of the main activities of Mercator alumni is publishing a German-language magazine called adhoc international that treats global public policy challenges from a practitioner’s perspective. Of course, we couldn’t let the climate negotiations go unnoticed. Thus, the newest issue is all about changing climate and humanity (“Klima und Menschen im Wandel”; pdf), and I contributed … Continue reading Putting Meat on the Bones of a Climate Agreement