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For more than five decades, Walter Zwald has been one of the most respected figures in the international coffee trade. His decision to resign as Honorary President of the Swiss Coffee Trade Association (SCTA) marks a significant moment for the industry and sends a clear message: voluntary commitments are no longer enough.
In a public letter addressed to the Association, Zwald calls the coffee sector to face urgent structural challenges with decisive action. He pointed to deforestation, climate change, child labour, forced labour, gender-based violence, persistent poverty, and the declining livelihoods of coffee farmers as issues that can no longer be treated as peripheral concerns.
He calls SCTA to introduce mandatory sustainability requirements for all member companies. According to Zwald, an industry association representing one of the world's most influential coffee trading hubs should establish clear minimum standards that ensure responsible business practices across its membership.
Among the measures he advocated are:
- Zero deforestation throughout coffee supply chains.
- Full traceability to farm level.
- Zero tolerance for child labour, forced labour, and sexual violence.
- Living incomes for coffee farmers and living wages for workers.
His resignation also shines a spotlight on a long-standing imbalance within the coffee sector: companies that invest in responsible sourcing and human rights protections often face higher costs, while businesses that fail to meet these standards can continue to compete without equivalent obligations. Zwald argues that establishing mandatory baseline requirements would help create a more level playing field while strengthening the credibility of the Swiss coffee trade.
The significance of this decision extends well beyond Switzerland. As one of the world's leading coffee trading centres, the standards adopted by the SCTA have the potential to influence business practices throughout global coffee supply chains.
Coffee Watch views this development as a pivotal moment in the ongoing conversation about accountability and sustainability in the coffee industry. Whether the Association responds by introducing mandatory criteria or maintaining its current approach, the resignation of one of its most respected leaders underscores the growing expectation that environmental protection and human rights should form the foundation—not the exception—of responsible coffee trade.