COCLA
Central de Cooperativas
Agrarias Cafetaleras
High in the Peruvian Andes, surrounded by lush, tropical valleys, the smallholder growers enjoy the best possible climate in which to grow their superb quality arabica beans. With 8,500 farmers grouped in 25 different co-operatives, COCLA has been selling both organic and non-organic coffee to Cafedirect since 1994.
They have invested significantly in developing the quality of their coffee with the assistance of Cafédirect’s Producer Partnership Programme. They now produce a gourmet organic coffee called Machu Picchu Organic. An aromatic, delicate, yet well-rounded bean, and is a real gourmet treat.
COCLA have also encouraged members to grow other crops, including cocoa. Their cocoa goes into our delicious Cocodirect Drinking Chocolate and our Cocodirect Instant Hot Chocolate.
COCLA has been using part of the Fairtrade premium for investment in the ‘Fondo de Capacitacion y Asistencia Técnica’, a fund for training and technical assistance. It provides farmers with education programmes and on-farm technical assistance. They have also used the fund to pay their Members a second payment at the end of the season to increase their income.
If you would like to try their coffee or cocoa, but can’t find it in your local store visit our online shop.
Raul de Aguila
COCLA General Manager
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Raul is a key member of the JNC (Junta Nacional de Café – the Small Coffee Farmer Association) in Peru and is a board member of the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO) . He is also directly involved in Cafédirect’s business by being a non-executive member of our board of directors since 2004.
‘Cafédirect is showing the market and other shareholders that they really listen to producers. This is much more significant than simply the value of our shareholding.’