We work with cooperatives because they enable many small producers to export their coffee. In rural areas with smallholder structures, cooperatives act as a mouthpiece and also have a quality assurance function. For example, there are regular, mandatory training courses for the producers. Equipment for processing the coffee is also provided by the cooperative.
Fair payment: we pay the cooperative a FOB price of at least 6.18$ / kg up to 9.48$ / kg depending on the amount of work and quality. This is double the "Fairtrade" minimum price. We do this because we think people should really be paid fairly regardless of the stock market. Because even the Fairtrade seal is dependent on the stock market. For more on "Fair Trade" and how it differs from "Direct Trade", check out our blog article. We are a Direct Trade roastery and pay fair in the process.
We work together with ASOCAFE in Taqipiplaya. We are in touch all year round with Marco, who is responsible for communications and quality management. Still we manage to go to Bolivia at least once a year to be in touch personally with the members of the cooperative as well, which counts approximately 300 producers.
Furthermore, through our network, we've established contacts to independent producers who cultivate their coffee with a lot of scientific knowledge on so called microlots. Those coffees do have a higher cupping score than the ones of the cooperative. Because of the small amounts of those coffees we mainly offer them B2B and as green coffee, please feel free to contact us here.
