Starting in 2022, ECOTIERRA will begin collaboration with the COCLA located in the Sacred Valley of Southern Peru. Projects continue to focus on sustainable land-use practices, coffee quality operational improvements, and carbon sequestration (REDD + ARR).
Étienne Desmarais - CEO of ECOTIERRA
ElevaFinca participates in the coffee sector through investments in strengthening coffee market access for COLCA coffee producers, showcasing the quality and availability of coffee produced throughout the area. ECOTIERRA sought a partnership with COLCA due to their well-established operational infrastructure, internationally recognized reputation, and a demonstrated focus on serving their members.
History of COCLA
COCLA was created in 1968, in the province of La Convencion, Cusco, after a struggle between producers and landowners at the time. Initially, there were seven cooperatives that formed COCLA. Years later, the organization reached 22 cooperatives, representing the majority of organized producers in the province of La Convencion and Lares. The economic model implemented was designed to generate sustainable development for its members and the province, seeking to add value to its products and improve the quality of life of its members. Today, COCLA offers a large volume of organic and fair trade certifications, with over 1,300 members.
Quality Coffee from the Sacred Valley
Producers in the area harvest Catimor, Typica, and a selection of other varieties such as Bourbon, Caturra and Geisha. COCLA has been gaining recognition for their improved cup qualities, being awarded for their coffees multiple times over the past three years. COCLA operates a dry mill facility with a capacity of approximately 500,000 Quintales* per year. The mill includes a fully equipped quality control lab, staffed with highly trained and experienced personnel. After the coffee is milled in Quillabamba, it is transported via truck to Callao, the main shipping port located near Lima.
A Breathtaking Origin Trip
Cusco is known for Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, yet often overlooked for coffee even though the area estimates an average of one million exportable bags on an annual basis. The difference now is in the rapid improvements made in cup quality and communication. As a buyer, COCLA should be on your radar now, while they still have offerings available!
Planning a trip to secure contracts and visit producers while passing through the Sacred Valley presents an amazing cultural opportunity for international visitors. As Covid continues to be closely monitored, opportunities for buyers to visit COCLA remain on the horizon.
*A Quintal is 100lbs of green coffee still resting in parchment. It takes roughly two Quinatles of parchment to fill one full bag of exportable green coffee weighing 152lbs (69kg).