The Bolivian Coffee Adventure: Sol de la Mañana and Agricafe, A Journey of Passion and Sustainability

Bolivia's Coffee Situation: A Potential Often Neglected

Bolivia is one of the smallest coffee producers in South America. Unlike its neighbors Brazil and Colombia, where coffee production is vast and well-developed, Bolivia produces only a small quantity of coffee. Moreover, its farms are often very isolated, small in size (between 3 and 8 hectares) and lacking in infrastructure, making production and export difficult.

However, the high altitude of the coffee-growing regions, mainly in the Yungas, a mountain range linking the Andes to the Amazon, means that Arabica coffees of exceptional quality can be grown. Bolivia's terroirs are naturally conducive to the production of specialty coffees. However, the challenges are many: inadequate infrastructure, lack of training for producers, and poor international recognition. This is where players like Agricafe and programs such as Sol de la Mañanawhich aim to transform Bolivian coffee production.

The Sol de la Mañana Program: A School for Growers

The program Sol de la Mañanalaunched in 2013 by Agricafe and family Rodriguezs mission is to train small-scale producers to become experts in specialty coffee. The seven-year program offers comprehensive training covering all stages of coffee production, from setting up nurseries to managing harvests and finances.

The idea behind Sol de la Mañana is to increase farm quality and productivity while ensuring long-term sustainability. Growers who join this program often see their production increase from 2 to 4 bags of coffee per hectare to over 20 bags, while at the same time improving the quality of their coffee. Agricafe then centralizes the processing of these coffees in its Buena Vista Milllocated in Caranavi, guaranteeing rigorous traceability and quality control.

Thanks to this program, Agricafe now works with over 100 farms in the Yungas, helping to diversify Bolivia's coffee offer and raise the profile of this unique terroir on the world stage.

Agricafe and the Buena Vista Mill: Innovation for Quality

Agricafemanaged by the Rodriguez family, plays a crucial role in the development of specialty coffee in Bolivia. Founded in 1986, the company began as a modest project, but is now one of the pillars of the Bolivian coffee industry. Agricafe doesn't just buy coffee from producers: it trains them, invests in their infrastructure and ensures high-quality processing of the beans.

Visit Buena Vista MillThe beans are sorted by hand to ensure that only the very best cherries are selected. The coffee is then fermented under controlled conditions (anaerobic or with other processes), then carefully dried to preserve all its aromatic richness. Agricafe uses a variety of drying methods, including raised African beds and mechanical dryers, to adapt the treatment to each batch of coffee.

Our selection of Bolivian coffees

At 94 CelsiusWe are proud to work with producers such as Lucia Mamani and participate in the development of Bolivian coffee through partnerships with Agricafe. Our lots from Bolivia reflect the care and passion of these producers.

These coffees, with their exotic notes of tropical fruit and citrus and their smooth texture, are a pure pleasure for lovers of specialty coffee. Whether you're enjoying our bold espresso blend or our coffee Tropical Season each cup will take you on a journey to the heart of the Yungas, to the plantations where every grain is harvested with love and dedication.