Guatemala Huehuetenango

La Asociacion Sostenible de Café de Guatemala (ASDECAFE) is a sustainable, second-level coffee association in Guatemala with more than 1,000 active producer members. It was founded in September 2013 by six small, first-level producer organizations and today includes seven co-ops in the regions of Huehuetenango and El Quiche.

ASDECAFE received Organic certification around 2014, and exports to the United States increased from 825 quintals in 2013 to 23,000 quintals to the United States, Canada and France in 2016.

The association is committed to sustainability and environmental protections, the equitable distribution of all generated income, transparency in business and long-term relationships with customers and suppliers. It’s also intently focused on using good agricultural and post-harvest practices to improve its members’ coffee quality and access to international markets.

Huehuetenango is one of the three non-volcanic regions and one of the highest and driest environments in Guatemala, making it one of the best areas for coffee production. Currents of hot air ascending from the Plains of Tehuantepec in Oaxaca, Mexico and cool air descending from the Cuchumatanes Mountains meet and mix in Huehuetenango, creating a microclimate protected from frost, which allows coffee to be cultivated at up to 2,000 meters.

The extreme remoteness of Huehuetenango  requires that nearly all producers process their own coffee. Fortunately, the region has abundant rivers and streams, making it relatively easy for producers to set up mills. The geographic conditions of Huehue help create exceptional coffees with distinct acidity and fruity flavors.