Peru Cecovasa

Coffee from Peru

Profile of Peruvian coffee

• Region: Puno, Madre de Dios
• Growing altitude: 1,200 – 1,800 meters
• Soil type: predominantly volcanic
• Average annual rainfall: 1200mm – 2000mm
• Average annual temperature: 18°C – 24°C
• Harvest season: June to September
• Processing: washed

Cecovasa Cooperative

The CECOVASA Cooperative (Central de Cooperativas Agrarias Cafetaleras de los Valles de Sandia) was founded in southern Peru in 1970. Today, it brings together around 4,500 small-scale farmers in the Puno region, particularly in the valleys of Sandia, Tambopata, and Inambari. From the outset, its goal was to enable producers to earn better prices through direct exports and sustainably improve their economic situation.

CECOVASA is an umbrella organization for several local cooperatives. Members of the local cooperatives typically farm small plots of one to three hectares at elevations between 1,200 and 1,800 meters. Coffee is grown primarily in traditional agroforestry systems with shade trees. This growing method protects the soil, promotes biodiversity, and contributes to the slow ripening of coffee cherries, which has a positive effect on quality.

Since the 1990s, CECOVASA has focused strongly on certified organic and Fair Trade coffee. Access to international markets has helped create stable incomes. At the same time, premiums from the Fair Trade system are invested in social projects, including education, healthcare, and programs that support women.

Role as a development project

In the 1980s and 1990s, parts of the region were shaped by coca cultivation. In collaboration with organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, coffee was promoted as a legal alternative source of income. CECOVASA played a central role by providing infrastructure, training, and market access. This led to sustainable economic stabilization for many communities.

Environmental protection and conservation

An important part of the work is protecting natural resources. In collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society, projects are being implemented to preserve biodiversity, particularly around Bahuaja-Sonene National Park. The focus is on sustainable shade-grown coffee, which preserves habitats for numerous animal and plant species.

Despite its successes, CECOVASA faces significant challenges. Climate change affects yields and growing conditions, while plant diseases such as coffee leaf rust pose additional risks. Logistical difficulties due to the remote location and economic pressure from alternative sources of income, such as coca cultivation, also add to the challenges.

Economic importance and quality

Today, CECOVASA exports most of its production to international markets, especially Europe and the United States. Its coffees are known for their delicate acidity, fruity notes, and balanced profiles. Multiple international awards underscore their high quality and have established the cooperative as an important player in the specialty coffee segment.

CECOVASA is considered one of the most successful examples of a thriving coffee cooperative in Latin America. Its combination of smallholder farming, environmentally conscious cultivation, international market access, and social commitment shows how agricultural production and development work can be brought together.