Bewley’s announces $1.5 million Fairtrade Deal
Coffee experts Bewley’s today announced a further $ 1.5 million in ethically certified contracts to support sustainable coffee production practices in Central America. The move forms part of Bewley’s long standing policy of direct partnership with coffee growers. The contract is for fairtrade-certified coffee which will be supplied by the Soppexcca Farmers Co-operative at Jinotega in Nicaragua.
The Jinotega region produces 65% of the total coffee production of Nicaragua, with an ideal climate and excellent ecological and agricultural conditions. Soppexcca is a group of 15 co-operatives comprising 650 coffee producers, and their families, located 160 km north of the capital city of Managua. The coffee is cultivated in fertile soil, in densely forested mountains, approximately 1,200 metres above sea level.
Bewley’s is the largest importer, roaster and supplier of fresh coffee in Ireland and was the first coffee company to import fairtrade-certified coffee into Ireland twelve years ago. It is by far the largest importer of fairtrade coffee, supplying many of Ireland’s leading foodservice, retail, forecourt and convenience store operators with their requirements. All coffees roasted and served at Bewley’s Café in Grafton Street are exclusively fairtrade-certified and the Soppexcca contract will directly supply this requirement.
Bewley’s is expanding its sustainable coffee initiatives in Nicaragua and other countries from where it draws major supplies of coffee from farms which are either fairtrade certified, UTZ certified or Rainforest Alliance certified. UTZ is an internationally recognised standard for professional coffee growing, which includes socially and environmentally appropriate coffee growing practices, and efficient farm management.
Jim Corbett, Managing Director, Bewley’s Foodservice, commented: “The quality of living and co-existence between farmers, crops, wildlife and surrounding communities must be preserved. This has to be achieved in a manner that also promotes economic benefits for communities in coffee producing countries.”
“Bewley’s sources all produce ethically and intends to have all of its coffees independently certified to this effect by 2011. Currently, certified coffee accounts for 22% of Bewley’s total intake. Sales of our fairtrade certified products increased by 100% last year. We expect to see the same growth this year as we work with more of our customers to provide fairtrade coffee throughout Ireland. We also work with Irish Aid and Fairtrade for guidance on best practice and to share information around our activities.”
To meet growing consumer demand for ethically sourced products, Bewley’s recently launched a new Special Reserve Fairtrade Tea for the grocery market, and it will relaunch its fairtrade fresh ground coffee in October.
Bewley’s is the only Irish company to source coffee from the Soppexcca Farmers Co-operative. Under fairtrade, Soppexcca farmers get a guaranteed price for their harvests in order to ensure their viability regardless of volatile markets. These payments are also invested in important healthcare and education initiatives, environmental sustainability, the provision of credit, business development courses and other initiatives to promote economic independence among growers.
Bewley’s said it will continue its long standing practice of paying a premium over and above standard market prices to ensure sustainable practices on its coffee supplying farms. This also ensures that there are appropriate healthcare and educational initiatives in place to enhance working conditions and to improve the prospects of individual workers and their families.
