We Put Growers First

Built on Partnership

The people who grow our coffee aren't just suppliers. They're our partners.

We build long-term relationships with farming cooperatives, listening to producers and working together on the things that matter – from livelihoods and coffee quality to climate change and the future of farming.

On average, we’ve worked with our grower partners for more than 28 years. Because meaningful change takes time, trust and commitment.

Investing in farmers' futures

Putting growers first goes beyond the price we pay for coffee.

Since 1991, we’ve invested more than £31 million in farming communities through Fairtrade and organic premiums and farmer-led development.

Through our sister organisation, Producers Direct, farmers can also access training, technology, data and finance to strengthen their businesses, improve productivity and build resilience for the future.

Meet Producers Direct

producer voices at the heart of our business

The people who grow coffee should have a meaningful say in the industry they make possible.

Two Producer Directors sit on the Cafédirect Board, bringing the experience and perspectives of coffee-growing communities directly into our business and helping shape the decisions we make.

Because putting growers first means listening to producers – not making decisions for them.

Meet our producer directors

Michael Montalván

Michael is General Manager of CAC La Prosperidad de Chirinos, a coffee cooperative in Peru, and represents coffee producers on the Cafédirect Board.

Silvia Herrera

Silvia is Finance & Marketing Lead at Unión de Ejidos y Comunidades San Fernando in Chiapas, Mexico, and represents coffee producers on the Cafédirect Board.

“For all these years Cafédirect has generated sustainable development through better opportunities for our farmers. It’s improved the quality of life of our families.”

Michael Montalvan , Chirinos cooperative, Peru

Farmer Shareholders

Farmers have a stake in Cafédirect too. Cafédirect Producers Limited (CPL), a network of 37 producer organisations across 11 countries, owns around 4% of the business – giving coffee producers a formal stake in the company that buys their coffee.

Protecting Our Purpose

The Guardian Share Company holds a special share designed to protect Cafédirect’s purpose. It can intervene if decisions threaten our commitment to fair trade, smallholder producer organisations or greater fairness in international trade.

Our Articles of Association reinforce this commitment, requiring us to consider the interests of all our stakeholders – not just short-term shareholder returns.