ACE reschedules Cup of Excellence for 2020
Image: ACE
ACE, the non-profit organisation which operates the Cup of Excellence, has announced that it has been forced to cancel this year’s Cup of Excellence, which was due to take place in Nicaragua.
The political crisis in Nicaragua, which includes sanctions, safety concerns and sporadic violence since April of 2018 throughout the country, has made it impossible for the Cup of Excellence to operate effectively.
“Our hearts go out to the entire country, but as executive director, I must see to the safety of our staff, consulting contractors and the international jury. Recent reports have accused the government of detaining NGO aid workers and many journalists. ACE made every attempt to hold a competition with a jury made of its membership in Portland, Oregon but a lack of funding made this impossible,” said ACE executive director Darrin Daniel.
In 2018 the Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE) had to make an emergency decision to have the winning lots shipped to the United States to get ahead of export issues due to numerous road blocks and protests. ACE hopes to work towards restoring the program in 2020. Cup of Excellence has conducted 15 competitions dating back to 2002 and Nicaragua was the 3rd country in the history of the 20-year-old organisation. The Asociación de Cafés de Nicaragua (ACEN) has announced that they will be doing a special project in support of its farmers.
