The Place Quindio

In the specialty coffee industry, farmers often face challenges in accessing fair market prices for their products. They frequently find themselves in a disadvantaged position, lacking the leverage to negotiate for better terms. 

This issue is particularly pronounced in the Quindío region of Colombia, a renowned producer of high-quality coffee. During my visit, I had the chance to meet with farm owners and their employees, gaining firsthand insights into the challenges they face. Follow the stories and problems of farmers on our blog to know more.

If you are familiar with The Better Coffee White Paper, you will know that The Place Quindío was the starting point for other projects in The Place series, including a project in Poland. It is a joint initiative of the Arias family of coffee growers and Krzysztof Blinkiewicz, the founder of The Better Coffee. The aim is to create a fermentation station that will serve both their own needs and the community.

Learn more about The Better Coffee Lab - buy a The Better Coffee White Paper.

The project's dual focus areas include enhancing production capacity and ensuring the quality and sustainability of specialty coffee production in the region. 

The evolution of coffee production in Quindío over the last decade mirrors a common industry trajectory. Following the initial surge in specialty coffee demand, many small farmers, who previously cultivated lower-quality crops, transitioned to higher-quality production in an attempt to increase their profits. This shift, driven by the desire to sell green coffee at a premium price despite higher production costs, led to a period of disillusionment.

This disillusionment has been further exacerbated in recent years by external factors, including the pandemic, rising fertilizer costs, and logistical challenges.The region's high supply of specialty coffees necessitates significant investments in technology by farmers, who also face escalating labor costs and a decline in skilled cultivation workers. The cultivation of high-quality coffees has become unprofitable for many, reducing it to a hobby or a labor of love rather than a profitable enterprise. This is further exacerbated by the practice of "combining," which involves blending fruit pieces with the coffee in the barrels to artificially inflate the price of the crop.

We are working to develop a community-accessible facility in this region. This initiative aims to produce high-quality coffee, reduce the need for processing technology investments, and ensure agricultural needs are met fairly. The project also includes educational opportunities for seasonal workers.

We have named this initiative The Place Quindío, project is currently semi-operational, offering coffee lots sourced from three family-owned and neighboring plantations.

We intend to upgrade existing buildings and machinery to enhance the consistency and repeatability of the production process. Our production methods have incorporated an innovative yeast creation of our own design, developed through extensive research conducted since 2021.

We have secured a construction site, enlisted an architectural design firm, and selected a contractor. We are currently seeking a grant from the Colombian government. We are looking for medium-term investors, including active food commodity traders.