Mexico Ixhuatlán

Description

The Ixhuatlán Community Group The field blend community lot from the Ixhuatlán Community represents a collaboration among smallholder farmers, each managing less than 1 hectare in the Ixhuatlán del Café microregion of Veracruz. Organized under the Cooperativa Alere & Abuntia, these farmers primarily sell coffee cherries to large buyers, often receiving inadequate compensation, particularly from industry giants like Nespresso and Nestlé. In response, specialty importers such as Semilla have emerged to foster equitable partnerships and enhance market access. Formed through the Value Chain Program (CADECAF) initiated by Cafecol in 2011, the cooperative launched the "Café Cooperativo MX" initiative in 2019, emphasizing quality, traceability, and transparency. Historically, coffee from this region has been sold as cherries, with various intermediary buyers, including Amsa and Cafés California, involved. Market competition intensifies during harvest season, improving pricing for producers. The farmers mainly cultivate between 0.5 and 1 hectare of land in Matlaquiahuitl, located about 40 minutes from the urban center of Ixhuatlán. The cooperative has had a foundational network of 37 producer members since 2011, with new members joining annually. They now collaborate with 80 to 150 coffee-producing families and have built networks of domestic and international buyers, exporting to countries like Canada, Dubai, and Japan. Café Cooperativo MX focuses on long-term partnerships with roasters, emphasizing sustainable development. Producers receive training in agroecological practices, and processing involves careful steps from harvesting to sun-drying, with conditions varying due to the cold, humid climate during the harvest season, from December to April. Producers: Fidel Flores Galán, Alfonso Vázquez Gómez, Pablo Chama Ramos, José Fco. Agripino Chama Chávez, Victorino Chama, Martiniano Ramos Flores, Héctor Chama Huerta, Timoteo Vázquez Martínez, María Gregoria Chama Chávez y Lucía Vázquez Reyes. About Semilla's work in Mexico Mexico has long been a favourite for Detour, especially for our single-origin and seasonal blend offerings. When we learned that our inspiring importing partner, Semilla, was launching a new project with Zapotec smallholders from San Agustin Loxicha in Oaxaca's Sierra Sur, we wanted to support their efforts. Semilla’s commitment to Oaxaca aligns with their sourcing values, as 95% of coffee farms are run by Indigenous smallholders with less than 5 hectares. The remote location of Loxicha makes selling coffee cherries challenging, so growers traditionally process their coffee using conventional methods, which often results in lower quality. After visiting in February 2025, Semilla found high-quality coffee even from these conventional methods, thanks to the altitude and heirloom varieties such as Typica and Gesha. Importantly, all growers in the region use organic, agroforestry systems, relying on Bokashi fertilizers and interplanting with shade trees, which contribute to the health of their coffee. Producers are increasingly interested in specialty processing and have begun attending local workshops to improve their techniques. Semilla aims to provide cupping sessions and tailored feedback to help these growers enhance their coffee quality. The hope is that the Pergamineros project will contribute to Mexico's rich coffee-producing history, highlighting the journey of smallholders seeking better futures.