Marjorie Canjura | 2020-05-26
Over the past two months, we have brought you updates on how our coffee suppliers network has been dealing with endless new matters in the wake of the pandemic: Mandate isolation, social distancing, unimaginable health safety measures and all type of restrictions to somehow contain the Covid19 outbreak and to guarantee those so expected coffees make it to Belco. Beyond letting you know the now common and maybe not so positive content regarding this subject, our message as a coffee sourcer will always be to encourage all the active people in our value chain to move on! In that sense, we are all trying our adaptability and resiliency out.
Across the board, there is a common willing and interest in keeping a future for specialty coffee; this will happen only if producers have long-term business relationships with reliable clients like Belco and its network of roasters, to stay well positioned and invest coming out the outbreak, they say. However, Felipe predicts a rough couple of years ahead of him with stormy seas. He is convinced we are all in this situation together but not necessarily in the same boat, being this a time to reach out and help each other; it is also a time to strengthen alliances and friendships.
Marjorie Canjura & Diego Zamora, for the Belco team.
What is the current situation in your farm or surrounding areas?
Felipe: Still low risk of contagion; few cases in this coffee growing region; lot of training on health safety among partners.
Norbil: High risk of contagion in the communities; lots of fear; lockdowns and curfews.
Laura & Afranio: Medium risk of contagion; relative calm, lockdowns.
What are the main consequences after the Covid19 outbreak?
Felipe: Only potential ones, at the moment.
Norbil: Lack of labor due to fear and restrictions; low yields; limited agricultural supplies.
Laura & Afranio: Only potential ones, at the moment.
What is the opinion of collaborators about the outbreak (families and community)?
Norbil: Lots of fear for the contagion and the uncertainty to sell the coffees.
Laura & Afranio: Collaborators are quite confident right now. Few or no cases in the area.
What is the farm status at the moment?
Felipe: Beginning of harvest; it will extend up to July/August.
Norbil: About to start harvest.
Laura & Afranio: Beginning of main crop.
What is the impact at your coffee business?
Felipe: Any significant right now.
Norbil: Delays in the 2020 campaign; liquidity issues; no financing.
Laura & Afranio: Any significant right now.
Could productivity and yields being affected by the situation?
Felipe: A particular very good climate this year. Expecting both good quality and quantity.
Norbil: It seemed to be a good year, but lack of labor due to the restrictions will definitely affect.
Laura & Afranio: Good quality and volumes are expected. Lack of labor at the peak of the harvest is a possibility.
Health and protective measure among your collaborators?
Felipe: Service transportations following distancing; masks, alcohol gel and trainings.
Norbil: Service transportations following distancing; masks, alcohol gel and trainings, new procedures.
Laura & Afranio: Only spreading valuable information on health issues and the virus among workers.
What are the actions to minimize the social and economic consequences of the situation?
Felipe: Strengthen current and potential alliances and friendship
Norbil: Adapting; coordination special transportation service to move the coffees; getting special permits for growers; virtual audits for renewal of certifications; technical support by phone; strengthen current alliances.
Laura & Afranio: There is the belief that high quality coffee can keep many doors and possibilities open. Only focusing on quality and getting assisted for the harvest.
What is your opinion on how coffee markets and your coffee business will change?
Felipe: Coffee volumes will lower; specialty sector will get hit pretty hard. New trends could emerge; new conventional markets will be available to position coffees.
Norbil: Family consumption will increase; delivery apps will emerge; coffee shops can get hit very hard. Learning how to live with the pandemic: home office; practicing values like solidarity, helping each other; non-centralized coffee gathering points.
Laura & Afranio: They are open to adapt to new trends whether locally of our of Colombia as long as they offer a high quality coffee and get a fair price for it.
What is your opinion on future of specialty?
Felipe: Difficult at the beginning. The industry will be more based on values than prices.
Norbil: The demand will lower with no doubt; but it will get recover.
Laura & Afranio: Very optimist, but the transition will take some years.
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