The report "Assessing Labor Abuses in the Coffee Supply Chain in Peru" rigorously examines the presence of child labor in coffee production in Cajamarca and Junín, two of Peru's main coffee-producing regions.

The study was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Labor, through its Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), and prepared by ICF with participation from Centro de Desarrollo y Autogestión / DYA Peru. The research combines surveys, interviews, and supply chain analysis to provide concrete evidence on factors that perpetuate child labor and on gaps in traceability and certification systems.

Fieldwork was conducted between August and September 2025. The methodology included 127 surveys with adult coffee workers, 16 in-depth interviews with adults, 11 interviews with children working on farms, and 31 key informant interviews with sector stakeholders.

The report identifies risks related to the participation of children and adolescents in coffee farming activities, exposure to sharp tools, illnesses or injuries associated with farm work, and difficulties in ensuring farm-level traceability in non-certified supply chains. It also analyzes the role of certification systems and the limits of their coverage.

As the report itself states, the sample is not statistically representative of Peru's entire coffee sector. Its findings should be read as evidence from the study sample and as an input for designing more effective responses.

For DYA Peru, solid and systematic evidence is a first step toward change. This knowledge can help civil society, the private sector, and the State strengthen actions to protect children and prevent them from sacrificing their education and well-being due to economic need.