Our Direct Trade Partnership

 Since 2017, we’ve sourced coffee directly from the small farming community of San Roque, Antioquia, Colombia. 

What began as a relationship with two farmers, Gregorio and Guillermo, has grown into a long-term partnership built on trust, transparency, and a shared dedication to exceptional coffee.

Why Direct Trade Matters

Traditional coffee trading in Colombia pays farmers by weight, rewarding volume rather than quality. Direct trade flips this model. By working directly with farmers and agreeing on a fixed, higher price, we support sustainable income, encourage quality-focused farming, and remove the anonymity of the conventional supply chain.

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How We Work With San Roque

Our goal from day one has been simple: support farmers to grow higher-quality coffee, and pay them fairly for it.

Gregorio and Guillermo’s approach includes:

  • Careful, selective picking of ripe cherries
  • Organic farming methods that strengthen soil and tree health
  • Harvesting from shaded, slower-ripening areas for deeper sweetness
  • Small-batch processing with precise fermentation and dryingThis commitment has resulted in steady improvements in quality, consistency, and flavour clarity each year.

Fair Pricing and Real Investment

Since 2017, we have paid 50p per kilo above the local market price, contributing over £4,000 in additional income directly to the farmers. Beyond price, we’ve invested in practical improvements that genuinely impact day-to-day work on the farm:​

  • Covered Drying Beds: funded to protect coffee from unpredictable weather and improve drying quality
  • Organic Spray Equipment: provided to support chemical-free tree health and sustainable farming
  • On-Farm Visits & Support: from planting new trees to helping during harvest, our visits strengthen understanding and guide processing decisions through shared tasting and feedback

Why This Partnership Matters

For farmers, direct trade means:

  • more stable, reliable income
  • long-term security
  • pride in producing speciality coffee
  • a real connection to where their coffee is enjoyed

For us — and for our customers — it delivers:

  • fully traceable, ethically sourced coffee
  • improved quality year on year
  • a meaningful relationship that influences every cup
  • the reassurance that your coffee genuinely supports its producers

Looking Ahead: Building the Future of Specialty Coffee

As global coffee markets become more uncertain, direct trade offers a sustainable, future-proof model. By paying farmers fairly and investing in their success, we help ensure that coffee production remains viable for generations to come.Our partnership with San Roque continues to grow, with plans for new micro-lots, further on-farm improvements, and ever-deepening connections between farm and cup.