Association of Small Coffee Producers

Some of these cooperatives work better than others. Some become a further tool of exploitation and some actually pass the money through to the farmers. The same for the certifications, they may not be quite what they seem. Small loans to the growers are a big consideration. The farmer must hire the pickers. If he wants or needs to get paid right away he is forced to accept a lower price. In the past the loans have been tied to a lower price. If he waits for the milling of the pergomino and the negotiated price of the cooperativa, he can do better. Transparency is hard to come by.