The average farmer lives on two or three hectares, hours away from the comforts of electricity and running water.
Peru's coffee exports account for two percent of the national economy and the global coffee supply. Peru is quickly building a worldwide reputation for producing high-quality Arabica beans traditionally grown in the shade.
From the farm to the table
Peruvian coffee farmers own small plots, and the country’s usual micro-milling operation is even smaller.
From May to September, farmers harvest ripe cherries and take them to manual pulpers and wooden fermentation tanks. This tradition of micro-milling has protected Peru’s water resources from the devastating effects of pulp factories that pollute rivers.
After processing the coffee, most farmers carry their beans on foot or by mule to the nearest town, a journey that can last from thirty minutes to eight hours.
Today’s situation
In the last decade, small farmers’ cooperatives in Peru have solidified their movements and provided a more organized and rewarding opportunity for tens of thousands of small-scale farmers who were previously subjected to exploitative commercial practices mentioned above.
It is estimated that between 15 and 25 percent of the more than 100,000 small farmers in Peru are now part of cooperative organizations.
These cooperatives have connected with international fair trade and organic networks to encourage their growth. One farmer shares her thoughts: "Before, there were no training sessions. But now they talk to us about the roles of men and women. You learn to value yourself. You learn to participate."
