Factors affecting choice of distribution networks (Product considerations)

Value / perishability / technical nature / age

https://driftaway.coffee/when-is-coffee-too-old-to-drink/

Fresh Coffee Lasts 2 to 3 Weeks

- Freshly roasted coffee will retain its flavor for two, perhaps three, weeks. After
roasting, coffee needs a couple of days to degas and then it is ready for
consumption. At about three days after roasting, coffee is at its peak. You’ll
still be able to pick out flavorful notes, and appreciate a selection’s body and
acidity, though, for a few weeks after roasting. By three weeks, at most, coffee
is no longer fresh.
Coffee’s Safe to Drink for Several Months
- Although you might not be able to pick out notes of cherry or caramel from a
bag of coffee that’s several months old, it’s still alright to drink. In fact, much
of the coffee for sale on grocery store shelves and in chain coffee shops was
roasted several months ago. Assuming it’s kept in a cool, dry place, coffee is
usually safe to drink for six months after roasting. It won’t taste as good as it
originally did, but you can still brew it.
- Of course, you don’t have to drink old coffee. There are many creative ways to
use up beans that have been lying around for several months. You can:
 make coffee ice cream with them
 brew them and use the coffee in baking
 keep them in your car as an air freshener
 dip them in chocolate
 experiment with different manual pour-over techniques

Don’t Store Coffee in the Fridge or Freezer

- In an effort to increase a coffee’s lifespan, some people put it in the fridge or
freezer. This actually has the opposite effect, though.
- Storing coffee in a fridge or freezer won’t prolong how long it stays fresh for,
because coffee goes stale as the beans release gasses containing flavorful
compounds. They’ll release these gases regardless of whether they’re stored at
room temperature or below freezing.
- Keeping coffee cold also won’t prolong its shelf life beyond six months, for it
doesn’t need to be kept below 41°F or 0°F. In fact, storing coffee in the fridge
or freezer may actually shorten its shelf life. When you place coffee in the
fridge or freezer, the sudden temperature change often causes condensation to
 form on the inside of the bag or can that your coffee is in. Although it’s in a
cool place, the container becomes moist, and the beans may spoil.

Using Up Your Old Coffee

- No matter how much people strive to enjoy freshly roasted coffee that’s less
than three weeks old, we all seem to end up with beans that are several months
old. These are safe to drink, as long as they’re properly stored, but we also
enjoy cooking, baking and experimenting with them.
- What do you do with your old coffee? Do you drink it, or do you have another
creative use for it? Let us know below by leaving a comment.

Short or long channels required?

 Green coffee beans are mainly imported into Finland via the Vuosaari harbour.
Several large roasters are present in the harbour. Paulig, the largest importer and
roaster in Finland, finished building its roasting plant there in 2009.
 After the green beans are roasted, they are typically shipped to supermarkets,
cooperatives and cafés by truck.
Types of transportation and warehousing

https://www.ronnoco.com/blogs/news/coffee-bean-transport-a-global-
journey#targetText=Coffee%20beans%20take%20a%20long,before%20they%20reach
%20your%20home.

 After picking and processing, the beans are ready to ship. Since coffee beans
are sensitive to moisture, they must be packed in bags that allow air to circulate
—sealed bags would promote condensation and deterioration of the bean. A
natural fiber such as jute, which allows for circulation yet tends to hold water
at the surface (which renders only the outermost layer of beans susceptible to
rotting), is preferred for shipping. Keeping moisture consistent for the cargo is
often difficult as most coffee travels by ocean.
 Upon arrival in port, and after passing through customs, the bags are generally
stored in company warehouses at various locations along both U.S. coasts.
 Off the boat and onto the truck or railroad car: Fleets of delivery trucks and
endless links of railroad cars cross the country every day, delivering green,
unroasted beans to roasting companies large and small.
 Once beans are roasted, packed and sealed, the race kicks into an even higher
gear. Roasting brings the caffeol (the natural, fragrant coffee oil contained
within the bean) to the surface, accelerating the process of oxidation; beans are
at their best within 24 to 72 hours after roasting. They are typically shipped to
supermarkets, cooperatives and cafés by truck.
Factors affecting choice of distribution networks (Market considerations)

Consumer or industry / location of buyers / size and frequency

Sold directly or thru agents?

1. Direct contact with buyers through trade fairs

 Wine, Food & Good Living is the leading exhibition in the field of food and
beverages sector in Finland. Although the emphasis is on wine, there are also
stands for coffee, tea and other beverages. More information of the 2017 fair could
be found here (in Finnish).
 Helsinki Coffee Festival is the biggest coffee festival in Northern Europe. This
high-quality event brings together the most interesting coffee, roasteries,
equipment manufacturers, and professionals. The coffee of the year (espresso and
filter) and the best roastery and café in Finland will be awarded at the event.
 Fastfood & Café & Ravintola, Helsinki offers visitors opportunities to find new
trends, ideas, and concepts within the fastfood & café business gathered at one
place. Plenty of exhibitors display provisions such as raw ingredients, fresh food,
drinks, seasonings, packaging, decor, machines, utensils, clothing, check-out
systems, and concepts.
 SHOP Helsinki is a major trade fair that offers two effective days full of
innovations, inspiration, and information in the retail sector. It is a unique trade
show combination that gathers retail professionals, decision makers, buyers and
suppliers together for two effective days to meet face to face, find new products,
services and attend to seminars.

2. Information channels

 Finding buyers
- The following company databases could be of use when finding buyers:
Finnish Coffee Roasters Association, Finnish chapter of the Speciality Coffee
of Europe, Finnish Food and Drink Industries’ Federation, The Food World,
Europages and Organic Bio.

 Premium markets
- Finland provides good opportunities for premium markets such as on organic,
fair trade, etc. For suppliers of organic coffee to go into Finland, the EU, or
ones’ own country, go to the website of Utz, Rainforest Alliance or FLO and
Organic Bio (see Chapter F, section 6). Multiple certification is a trend.
 Online/print information on trends
- Current consumer trends and industry developments can be found in the online
magazine Coffee & Cocoa International. An annual subscription costs €215.
Non-subscribers can view the cover and the first few pages for free. The Tea
and Coffee Trade Journal is free of charge and offers valuable information on
the coffee industry.