Organic Bolivia- Aipep Cooperative

Coffee Highlights

Plush Typica shrubs are grown on the rugged slopes of the Southern Andes Mountains, in a humid, sub-tropic forest dominated by precious Mahogany trees. The majority of the local family farmers cooperate in this project, producing one of the highest quality Bolivian coffees available. The cup is very rich with nutty aroma, notes of lemon peel, cinnamon, and carob.

Associacion Integral de Productores Ecologicos de Pumir- AIPEP

Facts about AIPEP

• Founded in 2002
• Located in Colonia Pumiri, Canton Calama, Provincia Caranavi
• Approximately 75 members
• Coffee growing altitude of 1200-1700 m
• Harvest season: Aug - Dec
• Export season: September
• Estimated annual production:  6-7 containers (2010)

The Associacion Integral de Productores Ecologicos de Pumiri (AIPEP) represents approximately 60 families. The founding members have worked hard to construct impressive internal systems for excellent organic production and quality control, as well as solid mechanisms for assuring participation and administrative oversite by the members. AIPEP leaders say some 120 other farmers in the surrounding areas are watching their progress at securing markets, and have the potential to multiply their export capacity four-fold. AIPEP has been certified by IMO Control since 2002, but to date has not been able to export directly, nor be adequately compensated for their organic investment.

FECAFEB is the secondary level cooperative for the primary level prodcucer coop AIPEP.