San Pedro Necta sits nestled in the mountains and valleys of Huehuetenango, Guatemala's coffee growing region that has, over the years, become known for exceptional quality coffees full of complexity and sweetness. Through our friends at Caribbean Goods we were lucky enough to travel all the way to Huehuetenango and visit San Pedro Necta, to meet and learn from the producers that make up the core of the town's co-operative. Don Francisco and Don Hugo, the General Manager and President of the co-operative, welcomed us with warmth and kindness to share the history of the farmers in the region and showcase their incredible work.
Despite the immense challenges farms are facing with changing climate patterns and farming supplies increasing massively in cost, the farms around San Pedro Necta keep things simple and in house, with many producers creating makeshift wet mills around their homes to float, clean and sort the coffee cherries before pulping them to remove the seed (or coffee bean, as it's often known). The farmers involved in this particular lot are part of the nationwide federation of co-operatives FEDECOCAGUA. An incredible organisation that, for decades, has been entirely owned and operated by the small farmer co-operatives across the country that make up its members. FEDECOCAGUA reinvest into their farms, helping many producers with the equipment and technical support needed to better ensure healthier coffee trees and wet milling at home, allowing them to retain a greater profit from their product. The power of many small producers coming together is shown so clearly in this model and we're thrilled to have worked with Caribbean Goods and FEDECOCAGUA on bringing this lot to Edinburgh.
