Guatemala ASOBAGRI Fairtrade Organic comes to us from the ASOBAGRI (Asociación Barillense de Agricultores) cooperative. ASOBAGRI was founded in 1989 by 20 visionary farmers in the highlands of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Today, it includes more than 1,900 members across 87 communities — many of whom are indigenous Maya farmers. The cooperative is renowned for its commitment to sustainable agriculture, producing exceptional Organic and Fairtrade coffees.
From 1997 to 2001, support from the Canadian NGO CECI helped lay the foundation for ASOBAGRI’s growth, through investments in organic certification, access to Fair Trade markets, working capital and price transparency. In 2000, the cooperative updated its bylaws to formalize the inclusion of women and youth in its governance, ensuring that leadership roles are held by small-scale producers.
A dedicated team of eight technicians — including three agronomists — provides technical support for the organic production of coffee and other crops, such citrus, bananas and avocados. Most producers (87 percent) farm fewer than two hectares, and 23 percent of members are women. Among them, 182 are part of the “Coffee in the Hands of Women” program.
ASOBAGRI also supports initiatives like Café Femenino, which empowers women farmers and promotes community development. The cooperative is focused on improving the social and economic realities of its members through exporting high-quality certified coffee, promoting participation of young people and women, and reducing poverty, emigration, and social exclusion in the community.
