"By reducing the number of intermediaries in the supply chain, the cooperative offers consumers extra transparency and gains more profit. Some of that profit goes straight to the producers in cash; the rest is used to increase the quality and size of their programmes, which benefit all producers – not just those whose coffee has been accepted for roasting."
"These programmes include the quality programme that helps producers grow microlots, which in turn enables even more of them to benefit from their coffee being sold as specialty and/or roasted beans. It also helps producers gain certifications, such as Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance. This means that even those who aren’t producing specialty benefit from increased prices."
"A cooperative that roasts and sells its own coffee – we don’t expect it to become the norm any time soon. It requires expertise in a new sector of the market, investment in packaging, transportation, and marketing. Building new relationships is also crucial."
"However, it’s clear that when a cooperative works to develop the expertise, logistics, and relationships, producers can benefit significantly."