Coope Tarrazu R.L.

Coope Tarrazu RL was founded way back in 1960 and today count 4600 associates. The board of directors is still made up of farmers, and 58% of members have 2 hectares or below as the average size of their farms. Only 6% have more than 10 Hectares.

During the last 15 years, the number of partners has increased by 50% and production by 70%. Its comprehensive partner service package includes credit, preferential price payment, technical assistance, measured support and more. Coope Tarrazu also act as exporter for around 40 micromills and 5 other cooperatives across the country.

In 2012, they successfully launched the ‘Café de Comunidades’ program, which offers micro-zone coffee and distributes a prize invested in communal works. Over 10 years later we are still sourcing under this program.

Tarrazu is the only region in Costa Rica where coffee production is actually growing. The area itself accounts for 38% of the national coffee production. Around 19,000 pickers come to the area during harvest time, of which 10,000 will pick for the coop.

The co-operative provides nurseries, agronomy support and training and a whole host of services. Coffee pulp is converted into organic fertiliser, coffee trees are given to farmers to maintain crop health, and power for the office is generated from solar panels. The businesses that the coop also owns to maintain these activities – gas stations and supermarkets -also generates a reward to the cooperative members at the end of the year.