Coopeagri R.L.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Pérez Zeledón had a very poor road infrastructure, which made coffee trading difficult. It was in the hands of private enterprise, which reduced producers' participation in the value chain. A group of local people saw that the needs of coffee producers could lead to the birth of a cooperative organisation, and it was in 1960 when this group set up a coop, then with 391 associates. Fairtrade premium-funded projects include a medical clinic, community store and the construction of 160 coffee stores over an area of 90 square kilometres. Farmers deliver their coffee to the stores for collection and transport to the washing station, saving them considerable time and expense. An interest-free loans scheme for growers makes much-needed credit available. Our main brand is Café Don Claudio, a coffee that comes from the surroundings of the Chirripó Mountain, which is the highest in all Central America.