Peru Vista Hermosa Organic

The Cooperative was first created by 233 smallholder farmers, most of whom farm on fewer than 4 hectares of land in this, one of Peru’s premier coffee-producing regions. Today, the cooperative counts 220 producers as members. These small farmers work 738.5 hectares in total.

All members of the cooperative take strict care with regards to harvesting and processing, which also helps overcome the limitations of low technification. Coffee is selectively hand-harvested and is pulped on the same day at each individual producer’s small wet-mill. After fermenting for between 12 and 24 hours (depending on climate and altitude of each farm), the coffee is washed and then laid to dry on raised beds in solar dryers - for at least 10 days. Interestingly, while drying methods can vary across rural Peru, as of 2016 all cooperative members are required to use these solar dyers as a means to ensure better quality and to preserve the hard work cooperative members have put into their production up until that point.

Organic coffee is key to the Cajamarca Province’s economy, and as such, UNAFECOOP COIPA remains committed to the principles of organic agriculture. They are currently certified according to USA NOP standards and as of the 2015/16 season, the group has secured EU certification (partially at the assurance of a market through Mercanta), enabling them to market their coffee as organic in all EU countries.