NICARAGUA
SHP EP UCCEI (UNION DE COOPERATIVAS DE CAFES ESPECIALES CORDILLERA ISABELIA)
FAIRTRADE ORGANIC
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Región: Matagalpa
Process: Washed, patio-dried Main varieties: Caturra, Catuai, Catimor Altitude: 1100 - 1350 masl Harvest season: December - March Cupping notes 
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Matagalpa, like much of Nicaragua, has faced many challenges throughout its history, including civil war, natural disasters, and restrictive import bans. Despite these struggles, coffee producers have remained resilient, fighting to preserve their way of life. A key figure in this movement is Kenia Ubeda, a dedicated coffee farmer and agronomist. In 2009, she founded the Unión de Cooperativas de Cafés Especiales Cordillera Isabelia (UCCEI), an organization that has worked tirelessly to create a thriving and sustainable coffee operation. Through UCCEI, Ubeda has restructured the financing for over 900 smallholder farmers in the region, ensuring that only the highest-quality coffee is sourced. The cooperative supports its members by providing access to training on farming best practices, education, healthcare, and better prices for their harvests. UCCEI also offers an internal credit fund designed to invest in the growth of individual farms and the wellbeing of local families. |
