STAFF REPORT

A day after the 2nd Nicaragua Cup of Excellence Volcafe Specialty Coffee, an importer based in Novato, California arranged to purchase a 33 bag lot of winning Cup of Excellence coffee from the original buyer, S. Ishimitsu & Co. Ltd,, an importing company from Kobe, Japan. The farmer, Rene Dávilla in conjunction with Cooperative 22 de Septiembre will receive 60 cents lb. over the price listed at the close of the auction. The extra premium will make a huge difference to the farmer who was already very happy with the auction results and shows a characteristic focus on quality and cooperation that sets the Cup of Excellence program apart from other coffee programs.

Sonia Kusumoto, of S.Ishimitsu, was the official highest bidder, with a price of $1.80 lb. as time ran out during the June 17th auction. Tim Chapdelaine, of Volcafe Specialty Coffee was bidding for several companies named The Tamarindo Buying Group, for 14th ranked coffee when the auction closed before his higher bid got officially posted. “After cupping this lot our buying group found this coffee to be a diamond which was better than its rank might suggest. We were all disappointed because we were willing to pay more than the closing price of the coffee,” explained Chapdelaine.

Sonia Kusumoto, the buyer of another winning lot as well stayed up all night bidding during the lengthy auction but was willing to give up this lot for no reimbursement. “We think the most important thing now is the grower will get more money and the coffee will be in the hands of the most interested bidder,” she indicated.

The Tamarindo Buying Group, made up of Alpen Sierra Coffee, Ecco Café, Intelligentsia, and Boot Consulting, will take delivery in about a month and begin selling the award winning coffee to their customers.

S. Ishimitsu & Co. Ltd and Volcafe Specialty Coffee are two of several cooperating importers for the Cup of Excellence program. Volcafe is coordinating the logistics of payment and shipping for many of the U.S. buyers. Susie Spindler, the program’s manager explains that this kind of cooperation and support of the program is not unusual, especially from Volcafe Specialty Coffee “The Cup of Excellence program builds cooperative relationships among great coffee companies worldwide. Our supporting companies and our producer organizations work together very effectively, even donating time and money, to bring much deserved premiums to high quality farmers,” she clarified.

For more information about the program visit www.cupofexcellence.org.