Global Value Chains in the Coffee Sector: A Comparative Analysis Between El Salvador and Mexico

The objective of this chapter is to compare the coffee chains in Mexico and El Salvador under the theoretical framework of Global Value Chains (GVC) proposed by Gereffi, highlighting the dimensions of governance in the original version related to the control or dominance of the chain (Gereffi, Commodity chains and global capitalism, Praeger, 1994), linkage governance (2005), and governance by regulation (2014, 2018). It is also discussed around the institutional framework to observe similarities and differences, establishing some recommendations of good practice for both countries under the interest of enhancing the product and improving the socioeconomic conditions of the producers of each of them. The comparison methodology combines quantitative and qualitative analysis and deepens through case studies. The results show that apart from geography and the size of production, there are few differences between the two countries regarding the conditions of the coffee chain. However, we found coincidences in the input-output, institutional framework, and governance dimensions. © 2024 Springer Nature.