Specialty coffees, known as Craft, are those that are grown reflecting their origin, the quality of the bean and the history of those who harvest them. From cultivation to preparation, every step is crucial to ensure a high-quality product.
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In this context, the National Federation of Coffee Growers (FNC) has committed to improving the profitability of Colombian coffee growers, supporting the creation of specialty coffees that generate greater value in the market.
Initiatives such as “Sowers of Peace” are examples of how coffee can be an engine of economic development and social change. This program involves former combatants of the armed conflict, from whom the FNC buys the coffee produced to sell it to a roaster that operates inside a prison in London.
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In addition, the FNC also supports projects that include Afro-Colombian communities, buying their coffee to sell to African Americans. Associations of women, indigenous communities and young entrepreneurs are also encouraged, all with the aim of generating added value for coffee growers.
“Our objective is to generate added value to coffee growers by promoting the sale of coffees of consistency and high quality, with diverse origins, unique stories and the exclusive jewels of coffee from our country.“, highlights José Martínez, director of Craft, Specialty Coffees at the FNC.
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This year, the Federation has doubled its export goal for specialty coffees and plans to continue growing in key markets such as United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, where large recognized brands buy Colombian specialty coffees, managing to capture the added value for the benefit of coffee growers.
Within the framework of the Cafés de Colombia Expo 2024 fair, the best specialty coffees in the country will be presented in the ninth edition of the “Colombia Land of Diversity” Quality Contest. This unique event in the world seeks to connect Colombian coffee growers with the most important buyers at a national and international level, thus increasing their income through the quality and differentiation of their coffee.
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The contest evaluates Colombian coffee based on five attributes: acidity, body, smoothness, balance and exotic. The winners of each attribute will receive a recognition of $25,000,000, while second place will receive $15,000,000 and third place $5,000,000.
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The coffees will be evaluated by international juries from the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, who will taste about 55 previously selected lots. Subsequently, These coffees will be presented in a hybrid auction, in person at the fair and online to different international markets.
In this way, specialty coffees not only promote the quality of Colombian coffee, but also promote the social and economic development of the communities involved in its production.