Bolivia
Fast Facts on Yungas
- Founded in 1991
- Comprised of 30 farmer-coops representing 8,700 familie
- Altitude: 3,600-4,500 feet above sea level
- Varieties: 100 percent Typica
The Federation of Exporting Coffee Producers (FECAFEB) was founded in 1991 as a national organization to defend the rights and needs of small-scale coffee farmers. FECAFEB has taken huge steps forward and seems to be right in stride with the new Bolivian political reality in support of Indigenous voice and rights.
FECAFEB is currently comprised of 30 coffee producer organizations, representing some 8,700 families. FECAFEB and its member coops have developed in important ways, including: the consolidation of its now 30 cooperative members; a widespread training program for administrative, leadership and quality control improvements offered to 470 cooperative leaders old and new; creating a political space for the voice of small-scale coffee producers to be heard and amplified; and in the sale of 120 containers of coffee primarily into the Fair Trade, Organic and other specialty markets.
One of the producer groups we visited is the Associacion Integral de Productores Ecologicos de Pumiri (AIPEP), with whom we have booked our first lot of coffee. AIPEP currently has 32 founding members and 22 recently enlisted. The founding members have worked hard to construct impressive internal systems for excellent organic production and quality control, as well as solid mechanisms for assuring participation and administrative oversite by the members. AIPEP leaders say some 120 other farmers in Pergaminothe surrounding areas are watching their progress at securing markets, and have the potential to multiply their export capacity four-fold. AIPEP has been certified by IMO Control since 2002, but to date has not been able to export directly, nor be adequately compensated for their organic investment.
Flavour profiles
Yungas
Heavy body, slightly spicy, strong and smooth, with gentle acidity.
Please follow the link to purchse Bolivian coffee:
* photos courtesy of Cooperative coffees - http://www.coopcoffees.com
