UNICAFEC - Asociacion Union de Cafetaleros Ecologicos

Unicafec is a producer association with 259 members which is based in the small town of San Ignacio in Northern Peru on the border with Ecuador. San Ignacio has no bank and regularly experiences problems with its water and electricity supply.

The nearest commercial centre is 3 hours away by roads that are impassable when it rains. The town is dominated by the coffee trade and various multinationals, and small farmer organisations are based in the town along with the constant presence of middle men. These players create a fiercely competitive market.

As a response Unicafec was founded in 2001 by smallholder producers that were interested in improving the quality of their coffee and exporting their coffee directly in order to secure better prices. Unicafec has been certified organic (OCIA) since 2003 and Fairtrade since 2005.

Objectives

Unicafec want to educate and organise farmers through their main business, coffee, so that through mutual assistance, science and technology, economic and social development is fulfilled in a harmonius way with nature. And in turn, to improve the wellbeing, quality and standard of life of their members.

Fairtrade Premium

During their first year of receiving fair-trade premiums UNICAFEC distributed 75% of the total amount to farmers, with the remaining balance contributing to covering the costs of the technical department and the organic programme.

The board of UNICAFEC has proposed to the general assembly that the premium from fair-trade sales in 2006 be used to buy a piece of land in order to build on their own office and warehouse, this would be the association’s first asset.