For years, we have followed and engaged in every step of coffee exportation. However, recently, we adopted the “learn by doing” approach, deciding to dive directly into the sector’s challenges and opportunities. This hands-on approach has allowed us to understand, in practice, the main bottlenecks in the supply chain and develop more effective solutions. As a result, we have strengthened our direct trade model, making it more viable, transparent, and beneficial for all parties involved in the production chain.

From the beginning, we knew that exporting coffee goes beyond finding buyers and shipping the product overseas. The process involves structural challenges such as quality standardization, customs bureaucracy, certifications required by international markets, cultural, seasonal, and behavioral factors, currency fluctuations, complex logistics, and, above all, building trust between buyers and sellers.

By working directly with export operations, we gained a better understanding of the obstacles preventing producers from accessing international markets competitively, as well as the pain points of all players involved. The practical experience revealed that, without proper support, many face challenges such as lack of knowledge about international contracts, financing difficulties, high logistics costs, market volatility, and uncertainty about future demand. This deep understanding allowed us to mitigate risks and structure differentiated strategies to make exportation more accessible.

The learning throughout this journey has been crucial in refining our direct trade model and consolidating strategic partnerships in the direct trader model, making it a real and viable alternative for producers and partners in the sector who share this vision of direct connection. However, we discovered that connecting producer and buyer was not enough: we had to ensure predictability, transparency, and security for both parties.

To address this, we developed tools and processes that eliminate bottlenecks, facilitate direct negotiation whenever possible, and ensure transparency when mediation is necessary. Additionally, we created traceability mechanisms that ensure transparency across the production chain, allowing intermediaries and final buyers to access detailed information about the origin and quality of the coffee. This way, we enable a transaction based on clear information about the origin and the sustainable practices adopted by the producers.

With a conservative approach, we have always focused on mitigating risks, avoiding speculation for short-term gains. We treat each negotiation with respect and uniqueness because we understand the processes, the efforts, and all the people involved in making each operation possible. Our commitment is to guarantee profitable opportunities, respecting mutual gains and the sustainability of relationships.

Over these 10 years, we have learned that the success of exportation depends not only on the quality of the coffee but also on the ability to structure efficient and secure operations. It was with this purpose that we founded Coffee Estates: to offer the market innovative, profitable, sustainable solutions based on genuine relationships of transparency and mutual gain.

More than offering a path to export, we are dedicated to deeply understanding the sector’s needs and developing practical solutions that meet the real demands of the market. We have learned by doing, refined our strategies based on practical experience, and today we are confident that this hands-on experience has prepared us to drive and connect the sector.

With a decade of learning, innovation, and evolution, we remain committed to making international trade more fluid, accessible, and advantageous for all. The experience gained in practice has allowed us to structure an efficient and adaptable model that is constantly evolving, expanding horizons for the years to come.