BSCA's contest and auction Fair Trade coffees in Brazil

SEBRAE MINAS has, since 2008, a project to meet family farmers Fair Trade and, in 2012, through this initiative, held the 1st Contest Specialty Coffee, in partnership with the Association of Producers Organisations Fair Trade in Brazil (BR Fair), focusing on the promotion of coffee produced on the basis of principles, concepts and criteria of fair trade in the country
To enlarge the aggregate value of these products, SEBRAE MINES hired the Brazilian Association of Specialty Coffee (BSCA, English acronym), due to national and international recognition in the work focused on quality, to operate in December 2012, the 1st Contest Quality BR Fair in its lab tests and tastings in the city of Varginha (MG).
The event featured a panel of Brazilian professionals, chaired by Wellington Pereira, Regional Cooperative of Coffee Growers of Vale do Rio Verde (Cocarive). The analyses were ranked nine lots (five natural coffee and four pulped / pulped) for a purchase auction conducted via internet.
The auction took place on March 1 and resulted in prices well above those currently offered by the market. The plot champion in category pulped, for example, had each of his eight sacks negotiated by R $ 1,600.00, value 425.72% over the closing contract maturing in May 2013 at the New York Stock Exchange on the day, which was U.S. $ 1.4335 per pound (equivalent to R $ 375.83 per bag). Already the winner in the category natural coffee had each of his 10 bags sold for $ 1,300, which corresponded to an increase of 345.90% over NY.
According to Wellington Pereira, lots submitted to the contest judges were surprised by the quality presented. "We perceive different attributes, both in natural and in the cherry peeled, marked with notes and after taste pleasant cafes participants from different regions, even being a difficult year for grain quality," he explains. The president of the jury said that producers can make a Fair Trade coffee of excellent quality. "It shows us the interest, commitment and family involvement in harvesting and post-harvest, to obtain a special coffee and then adding value", analyses.
Wellington Pereira points out that there are great ways to be covered by the Fair Trade coffee producers in Brazil to obtain better quality. However, he says that there is plenty of room in the market for this type of product and the demand for quality of fair trade certified coffees has increased annually. "The big advantage is that our growers are focused in this work and the learning path. I believe that in the coming seasons we will have more Fair Trade coffees of the highest quality and most producers involved in the process, "designs.
The appreciation of specialty coffee and fair trade encounters the mentality of the companies that bought the lots in the auction, as the Carmo Coffees, buying seven of the nine available. "We are fans of projects that motivate farmers to produce specialty grains, so no matter its size, but how much is willing to do something different in the product and on the property. This is the relevant factor to enter in projects like this that involves SEBRAE MINES and BR Fair, and the values for which we pay the producer deserved. High quality coffees can not be purchased inexpensively. We are focused on products of high complexity and when we find frankly not lost, "said the owner Jacques Carneiro.
Luiz Paulo Dias Pereira Filho, Jacques Carneiro partner in Carmo Coffees, notes that the company specializes in working with small producers of specialty coffee microlots and the focus is to disseminate them worldwide. "Valuing the grower is our goal differential. We aim to get a bag that is that producer and make it reach the end consumer with added value. This appreciation in the auction Fair Trade is what we want to pass to the small farmer, who has to understand that the world is looking for a coffee with these characteristics and that no matter the size of your production or property, "he says.
Luiz Pereira Dias projects that the result of the auction of the 1st Contest Quality BR Fair will provide an incentive for grower dedicated to this form of cultivation. "The producer of specialty coffee and Fair Trade, regardless of size, need to come to the market because buyers are willing to pay the price for this service. The work of companies like ours is just to bridge the Brazilian specialty coffee to the outside, preventing waste as commodity", complete.
The commercial manager of SMC and Export Trade Coffee, Dircéia Maria Mendes, buyer winners of the other two lots in the auction, explains that the company's intention, although not totally dedicated to microlots is motivating small farmers to continue to focus acting. "We believe in the potential of the specialty coffee market and are increasingly perfect in it. Our work is always focused on the maximum aggregate value to the grower, who is primarily responsible for product quality, "he says. Dircéia citing Mendes complements what is this niche market that SMC intends to expand its operations and become a world quality reference. "And for that, are key initiatives like this that involves SEBRAE MINES and BR Fair, which we support," he concludes.
Source: Revista Cafeicultura