Washington (Fides Service) - The coffee market is flourishing: coffee is the second largest item imported by the United States. Coffee producing companies thrive while the workers on the plantations are exploited. The problem lies in the fall in price. In recent months the price of coffee has fallen to a mere US$ 1 per kilo which is well blow the cost of production. This fall in price affects thousands of workers in Mexico and Latin America who are losing their jobs. Many small coffee farmers receive prices for their coffee that are less than the costs of production, forcing them into a cycle of poverty and debt. The World Food Programme estimates that at least 150,000 workers have been affected by this crisis and many more could follow. To address the situation the Missionaries Oblates of Mary Immaculate OMI, in the United States support a Fair Trade Campaign. They encourage people to buy coffee made by companies which guarantee that they paid a fair price. They suggest contacting www.globalexchange.org/economy/coffee which states: "We believe in a total transformation of the coffee industry, so that all coffee sold in this country should be Fair Trade Certified, or if produced on a plantation, that workers rights should be guaranteed and independently monitored. Our view includes social justice and environmental sustainability: we also believe that all coffee should be certified organic and shade grown where applicable". (Fides Service 20/12/2002)