Coffee Sourcing and our Producers

We have a close trading relationship with our producers

We source our coffee from carefully selected farms and cooperatives located in key producing countries throughout Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. Working with different seasonalities and variations in flavour profiles of each producer, we can ensure that we maximise both the quality and freshness of the coffees we offer.

We have built strong relationships with our farmers over the years and this has helped us to develop a mutual understanding and to collaborate on great tasting sustainable coffee.

 

Producer Profiles

Location

Copan/ Celaque in western Honduras

Length of relationship

10+ years

Number of farmer members

900+ active farmer members (32% female)

Arabica varietals

ARABICA: PARAINEMA, OBATA, CATIMOR, CATUAI, CATURRA, LEMPIRA, IHCAFE 90

Certifications

We buy Fairtrade, organic and Rainforest Alliance certified coffee from COCAFCAL

Altitude

1,400 – 1,600 MASL

Harvest season

October – April

Processing

Fully washed on farm & centralised. Patio, drying tunnels & some rotary drying.

Cupping note

Balanced citrus acidity, tropical fruit with medium body and smooth cup.

We asked Omar Rodriguez, General Manager of the Capucas cooperative, “How would you describe our trading relationship?”

The relationship we have between Matthew Algie, Wakefield [our trading partner] and Capucas is a personal relationship, it’s a trust relationship, and it’s not only business. We’re very happy that we have you as a support here, and also there [in the UK] in helping to promote the Capucas community. We are growing together and that’s very important for us.”

Project with Ground Espresso Bars

We facilitated a project with COCAFCAL and our customer, Ground Espresso Bars, who wanted to invest in a project that would have a social impact in a coffee community that was relevant to their bespoke blend. Ground contributed towards the construction of a new ICT and virtual learning centre in the Capucas community. We travelled with them to Capucas on several occasions as the project progressed, and finally for the inauguration ceremony. The centre is now used for providing school children with ICT lessons and distance learning for University students. In fact, the centre is the first rural University of its kind in Honduras, and the students are often choosing to study subjects that will equip them for jobs in the coffee industry, such as working for the cooperative.

Want to know more about the great work of COCAFCAL?

Take a look at their website 

Watch one of their promotional videos

COCAFCAL

Location

Octopeque in Western Honduras

Length of relationship

10+ years

Number of farmer members

400 + members

Arabica varietals

ARABICA: TÍPICA, CATURRA, BORBÓN, PACAMARA, PACAS, CATUAI, PARAINEMA, 90, LEMPIRA, ICATU, BOURBON

Certifications

We buy Fairtrade, organic and Rainforest Alliance certified coffee from COCAFELOL

Altitude

1,100 – 1700 MASL

Harvest season

November – April

Processing

Fully washed on farm processed at centralised washing stations. Patio, drying tunnels & some rotary drying.

Cupping note

Balanced citrus acidity, tropical fruit with medium body and smooth cup.

What impact has Fairtrade certification had at COCAFELOL?

“Fair trade for us is the best help for the coffee producers, because helps to give them a Fair prices and with these prices the producers can give maintenance to the farms and keep food on the table.

For me, the Fair trade and Organic are the best combination for the producers.” Delmy Regalado

 

Want to know more about the great work of COCAFELOL?

Visit website

COCAFELOL

Location

San Ignacio & Jaen provinces in northern Peru

Length of relationship

10+ years

Number of farmer members

1,000+ members 

Arabica varietals

CATIMOR, TYPICA, CATURRA, PACHE, BOURBON, MUNDONOVO,CATUAI

Certifications

We buy Fairtrade, organic and Rainforest Alliance certified coffee from Sol and Cafe

Altitude

1,200 – 2,200 MASL

Harvest season

April – November

Processing

Fully washed on farm and dried on patios and raised beds

Cupping note

Medium body, red fruit, soft sweetness and well balanced

What impact has Fairtrade certification had at Sol y Café?

‘Fairtrade is very important because I think it changed the way to produce and sell coffee in Peru. With a new generation of coops in Perú in the late 90’s and early 2000s, these ones invested in technical assistance in topics like quality, production and varieties of coffee. The coops gave empowerment to all the farmers, they increased the self-steam on farmers. That’s the reason the quality of the Peruvian coffee has been increasing. Also, with the Fairtrade premium the coops are more competitive with the national and international big companies. At the end all the coffee farmers won because they could access to better prices.’ Lenin Gomez

Want to know more about the great work of Sol y Café?

Visit website

 

sol y cafe

Location

Upper Amazon region of Junin.

Length of relationship

10+ years

Number of farmer members

400+ members (30% female)

Arabica varietals

CATURRA, CATIMOR, PACHE, BOURBON

Certifications

We buy Fairtrade, organic and Rainforest Alliance certified coffee from Ubiriki

Altitude

1,000 – 1700 MASL

Harvest season

March – October

Processing

Fully washed on farm and dried on patios and raised beds

Cupping note

Medium body, red fruit, soft sweetness and well balanced

Project with Smokin’ Bean

Working alongside our partner, Smokin’ Bean, in 2020 we launched “Project Next Gen” with farmers at the Valle Ubiriki cooperative. To ensure the sustainability of coffee farming in the area, the project aims to engage young people in the community in coffee processing and quality control. Five young people in the community will be selected and trained to Q Grader standard as part of the programme. Updates on the project will be available through our social media channels and in our Sustainability Reports.

Ubiriki

Location

Sandia Valley, Southern Peru

Length of relationship

10 years

Number of farmer members

1,100 members

Arabica varietals

BOURBON, TYPICA,  CATURRA, CATUAI, CATIMOR 

Certifications

We buy Fairtrade, organic and Rainforest Alliance certified coffee from San Juan del Oro.

Altitude

1,000 – 2,200 metres

Harvest season

May – November

Fermentation

Fully washed, traditional mill.

Drying

Patio and drying tunnels.

Cupping note

Soft, balanced citrus acidity, with excellent medium body.

Collaborative Partnerships

We have been involved in two award-winning programmes with the San Juan del Oro cooperative in recent years. The first phase commenced in 2013 and was inspired by meeting farmers whose yields had fallen by 70% due to “la roya” or coffee leaf rust; a disease which had flourished with the onset of milder winters and harder rains. The programme supported farmers to adapt to these impacts of climate change and in particular to become better stewards of water. Our more recent collaboration involved a bigger group of supply chain stakeholders, including M&S and Taylors of Harrogate, and more Peruvian coffee farmers. Whilst continuing to strengthen farmer’s climate change resilience, the project had a social aspect and sought to improve the way that the cooperative engages with women and young people in the community. A film about the project collaboration is available here.

We asked Mateo Quispe, General Manager of San Juan del Oro, how he would describe our trading relationship?

“The relationship is not something I see as purely business or economic relationship, it is beyond that – it is something we feel sentimental about, it gives us a good feeling.

Matthew Algie is the only client that we have been selling to since 1999 and they have been here for us in many ways. They have helped us to keep going, creating a financially stable business, helping us through the worst times, giving us jobs and extra business and contracts.

It brings us a sustainable partnership and we feel as coffee producers and exporters that we have a partner in another part of the world. They have created that sensation that we have an ally and a part of their hearts in Europe.”

san juan del oro

Location

Carmo de Minas in Minas Gerais State, along the mountainside of ‘Serra da Mantiquiera de Minas’

Length of relationship

5+ years

Number of farmer members

100+ members

Arabica varietals

YELLOW BOURBON, RED BOURBON, ACAIA, YELLOW CATUAI, RED CATUAI, CATUCAI, MUNDO NOVO

Certifications

We buy Fairtrade certified coffee from Ascarive

Altitude

900 – 1,550 MASL

Harvest season

May – November

Processing

Natural process – dried on patios or raised beds

Cupping note

Medium body, cereal, nut and smooth

We spoke to Maria Paula Rocha, Business Manager at ASCARIVE and asked her to explain in her own words how the relationship between Matthew Algie and ASCARIVE has developed?

A healthy, transparent and mutually supportive relationship was built where the entities are able to grow together. In 2019, ASCARIVE was pleased to receive the visit of Matthew Algie collaborators and demonstrate some of the work our associates have been doing. At that moment, it was possible to present projects developed by Ascarive using Fairtrade premiums mainly in the environmental, social and quality improvement areas. After this visit it became clear that the partnership will always be successful.”

 

ASCARIVE

Location

Based across districts of Bushenyi, Mitooma, Rubirizi, Sheema and Ntungamo in the mountains of southwest Uganda

Length of relationship

10+ years

Number of farmer members

7.000+

Varietal

Robusta

Certifications

We buy Fairtrade, organic and Rainforest certified coffees from ACPCU

Altitude

1,600 – 1,900 MASL

Harvest season

May – September & December – February

Processing

Natural process, dried on patios at farm

Cupping note

Earth, rich, heavy full body,

What impact has Fairtrade certification had for farmers at ACPCU?

‘Through Fairtrade minimum price, Farmers have improved on their standards of living where farmers have constructed permanent houses from temporary ones, educated their children, increased production for approximately 2 bags to 7 bags thus increased household income.

Through Fairtrade premium – ACPCU and Members have given back to their communities by constructing infrastructure at schools, health centres, sanitation, and others.’ Peninah of ACPCU

Want to know more about the great work of ACPCU?

  www.acpcultd.com

 

ACPCU

Location

Throughout the mountains and valleys of the Sidama region in Southern Ethiopia

Length of relationship

10+ years

Number of farmer members

70,000+ members

Arabica Varietal

Sidamo

Certifications

We buy Fairtrade, organic and Rainforest Alliance certified coffee from Sidama

Altitude

1,800 MASL

Harvest season

September – January

Coffee processing

Washed and sun-dried or 100% sun dried (natural)

Cupping note

Floral, bergamot tea like, fragrant, berry fruits

What impact has Fairtrade certification had for farmers at Sidama?

‘I am the first woman to be a member of the board and thanks to this, I can influence other women to come to the yearly meeting allowing themselves to be voted onto the board. Now more women want to join us and decide. The Fairtrade Premium has changed our lives. With the Premium, we have been able to develop our society.’ Belaynesh Mamo works at the Shilcho Primary Cooperative and SCFCU board member. (source: Fairtrade.net)

Want to know more about the great work of Sidama?

www.sidamacoffee.com/home.html

 

Location

Bener Meriah district, Aceh Province in Northern Sumatra

Length of relationship

10+ years

Number of farmer members

2,000+ members (25% female)

Arabica varietal

Ateng, Linie S (S795), Bourbon (Gayo 1, Gayo 2) and CaTimor

Certifications

We buy Fairtrade, organic and Rainforest Alliance certified coffee from Permata Gayo.

Altitude

1200 – 1,600 MASL

Harvest season

September – July

Coffee processing

Semi-washed/ pulped natural

Cupping note

Heavy body, great for bringing structure to our blends with chocolate and spice notes

Impact of Fairtrade Certification for farmer members of Permata Gayo 

Selling coffee as Fairtrade certified delivers more value back to producers by ensuring the cooperative receives a social premium for every pound of coffee sold. Permata Gayo have used this premium to invest back in the cooperative and the community, for example:

•  Food programme – Providing staple foods to its members outside of the harvest season to improve food security.

•  Improving farming practices – Providing agricultural tools for farmers has reduced the need for chemical herbicides by 95%! They’ve also trained farmers on soil conservation, safe disposal of waste and composting.

•  Community healthcare – Equipping medical centres with instruments and supplies for pregnant women and young babies.

•  Empowering women – Permata Gayo has created a women’s only group, Kokowagayo, and they market and sell their coffee separately. They’ve also set up a micro-credit scheme for female farmers to further encourage their economic empowerment.

Want to know more about the great work of Permata Gayo?

gayopermata@yahoo.co.id

Permata Gayo

Location

Muhanga District, Southern province

Length of relationship

3+ years

Number of farmer members

400+ members (150+ female)

Arabica varietals

Bourbon

Certifications

We buy Fairtrade certified coffee from Sholi

Altitude

1,800 = 2.000 MASL

Harvest season

March – June

Processing

Fully washed at central washing station and dried on raised beds

Cupping note

Perfume, delicate citrus acidity, balanced with a vanilla sweetness

Partnership with Challenges Worldwide

Since 2017, we have been involved with a collaborative programme implemented by Challenges Worldwide, supporting eight coffee cooperatives in western and southern Rwanda in tackling some of the systemic challenges that they face such as poor infrastructure, access to finance and access to international markets.

Our specific role in the programme is to provide industry insight, such as feedback on coffee quality, and to assist with promoting the unique qualities of Rwandan coffee in the UK market. A highlight so far has been introducing our customer, the University of Strathclyde, to Aimable Nshimiye the General Manager of the Sholi coffee cooperative, one of the groups involved in the project. The University uses one of our coffee blends which includes a Rwandan coffee component in their hospitality outlets, so this was a great opportunity for actors at different ends of the supply chain to learn from one another. More broadly, we have been able to assist the programme by hosting three coffee tastings at events showcasing the project and roasting sample bags of single origin coffee from the Sholi group.

Coinciding with the launch of the mid-project report, Challenges Worldwide produced this short video, showing the impact at origin and the ripple effect this has had along the supply chain. 

Want to know more about the great work of Sholi?

  http://sholicoffee.com/

 

Abateraninkunga Ba Sholi

Location

Municipality of Anserma in the Caldas Region of northwest Colombia

Length of relationship

A relatively new relationship, currently supplying coffee for a single origin product for one of our larger customers who are long-term supporters of fairtrade and its principles

Number of farmer members

2,000+ members

Arabica varietals

Caturra, Castillo, Colombia

Certifications

Fairtrade, organic (very small %), RA

Altitude

1,400 – 1,800 MASL

Harvest season

Main crop Oct – Dec and fly crop March – May

Processing

Cherries are harvested, pulped, washed and dried to parchment level and then transported to a central storage location for further quality checks

Cupping note

Cocoa, medium body, black cherry and vanilla sweetness

Partnership with Challenges Worldwide

Since 2017, we have been involved with a collaborative programme implemented by Challenges Worldwide, supporting eight coffee cooperatives in western and southern Rwanda in tackling some of the systemic challenges that they face such as poor infrastructure, access to finance and access to international markets.

Anserma have been Fairtrade certified since 2004 and have invested the premiums received through Fairtrade in a number of projects. These include:


• Technical assistance for all their members
• Training in environmental care
• Gender equity programs in 5 municipalities
• Subsidised 81 university students through training
• Reforestation, 65 coffee women have planted 30,000 trees
• Health programmes and funeral service assistance for members
• Provide school supplies for children and school dining room
• Built a soccer pitch for local community
• Installation of 20 ecological kitchens
• Provision of 420 personal protective equipment
• Supply of 209 on site sewage systems and 81 pulp water cleaning systems

More info. on Anserma

  https://www.cooperativaanserma.com.co/

 

Anserma

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