Mayorga Coffee的动态

I agree, here’s a quick story on why. When I left my job in the States and moved to Nicaragua to rebuild my family's coffee farm, I had a vision of building a large farm producing tons of coffee. But after two years, that vision changed. Here’s why: During my learning phase in coffee, I started visiting farms and meeting producers. Here’s what I realized: 1. The last thing Nicaragua needs is another large farm coming in to lower production costs while promoting a story about paying fair wages simply because they are vertically integrated. 2. The companies truly making a positive impact in Nicaragua are a very small percentage. Most are still primarily focused on their bottom line. 3. Where we need to put our focus is on the livelihoods of small farmers. This is where we can make the most impact on people’s lives. After learning this, I decided to build an online roasted coffee brand through content creation to grow a loyal following, showcasing both coffee and Nicaragua. My goal is to grow this platform enough to spotlight other farmers, giving them market access and a space to share their stories. I am still learning and early in the process, I have high hopes we can make a change. Thanks for writing the article Martin!

Absolutely! It's a neo-colonial holdover designed to keep power and profit in consuming countries. In fact I just wrote about how some farmers are flipping the script and launching their own coffee roasteries in order to go directly to the consumer and to retain more of the value they create: https://thepourover.substack.com/p/from-south-to-north-farmer-owned

Agree with you!

I completely agree and appreciate the spotlight on an often-overlooked issue in the coffee industry. There’s a U.S. company that’s been acquiring coffee fincas in Colombia and turning proud farm owners into hired hands. This approach undermines the cultural heritage, economic stability, and autonomy that smallholder farmers have cultivated over generations. True sustainability lies in partnerships that empower communities, not in ownership that strips them of their identity and control. To support coffee-growing communities, we must prioritize partnerships that respect local ownership and foster long-term development.

Nah you spitting. This is the exact reason we’ve turned down the last 4 offered to purchase farms.

Completely agree. While the narrative may sound well-intentioned, the reality paints a very different picture. If roasters are truly committed to driving meaningful change, they wouldn’t be buying land or pushing vertical integration that turns farmers from landowners into workers or forces them into cities—a losing formula for farmers. Real impact comes from empowering farmers through genuine, mutually beneficial partnerships that uplift the entire industry.

As far as I can tell, with still limited knowledge of the coffee sector, but gaining more insight into it in the coming months, this is so, so true. Thanks for sharing ??!

You are spot on and are speaking the truth. Whether publicly traded or privately held, companies are driven by the profit motive and seldom socially motivated. Thank you for sharing.

Alternatively: Those same roasters could spend sometime: 1. Firstly knowing the true Cost of Production (CoP) in that region. 2. Then drawing up DIRECT trade agreements (by collaborating with local exporters in that region. However, the exporters in this instance will not "buy & sell" (so much lower risk for them)- but only act as logistical "SERVICE PROVIDERS" and all parties would agree that fixed fee for providing that service. Since trading risk is intentionally removed - the agreed service fee cost should be marginal. For full transparency - the trilateral contracts will also state what the "service provider" will be paid. 3. All contracts will use the agreed CoP numbers as a STARTING POINT for building and developing purchase contracts. 4. Roasters pay the "logistical providers" (= exporters) the full contract price. 5. Logistical providers (= exporters) then by agreement later submit documentary evidence that the coop was paid the price described in #2 above. This is the key point to ensure full price transparency. Note: "Tax" considerations - local tax authorities will want proof that the local entity is not just being mis-used to inflate off shore profits. Weather risks are real.