Coffee

Importing starts with green coffee that is completely processed and ready for export from the origin country. Typically, shipped in 20 foot containers of 275 to 320 bags (70kb or 60kg) or less. It could also be loaded bulk, therefore enabling more beans to be shipped, lowering the shipping costs on a per pound/kilo basis.

From the USA, specialty coffees are most often purchased by importers or individual roasters via an FOB Contract. FOB (Free On Board) means that the price paid by the buyer includes all of the costs in the exporting country, including processing, inland transport, warehousing, dock fees, export fees and loading the container onto the ship. Ownership passes from the seller to the buyer once the container passes over the rail of the ship. The ships captain prepares the Bill of Lading that you will present to your bank to prove the coffee is now on the ship.

The exporter will need a bank that can handle international interbank transactions. Preferably one that is experienced in export document requirements. If not well established at this type of transaction, the exporter will not want to extend credit to any buyer, but will require payment terms: CAD (Cash Against Documents).

A CAD transaction enables the exporter to have payment deposited into his bank account after presenting to the bank the required documents proving that the coffee purchased by the importer (buyer) meets the specifications in the coffee purchase contract/agreement. The exporter’s bank will determine exactly what documents are required.

These documents may include:

- Ocean Bill of Lading (from the freight liner after the coffee is loaded on the ship)
- Weight Notes to identify the exact content and weight of that content
- Certificate of Origin (issued by the government Customs authority in India)
- Certificate of Fumigation (if required by importing country)
- ICO Certificate of Origin (Approved by the ICO: International Coffee Organization)
- Invoice sent to buyer identify the details of the purchase and $Value.
- Packing List from seller as evidence of the product shipped.
- Other agricultural certificates as dictated in your country

Typically, the exporter will use an Export Broker in the origin country who is expert in these matters and can arrange all of the issues involved in preparing the coffee and the documents for export. If a broker is the seller/exporter, then he will handle all of the required export documentation. The buyer/importer arranges for payment, ocean freight and transport insurance. It’s also the importer’s responsibility for acquiring all import documentation and arrangement in his country.

Of course, finding buyers is the key when importing for resell. For information to identify coffee importers, office coffee service providers and specialty gourmet coffee roasters in the United States, you can purchase a membership list from the Specialty Coffee Association of America or from InfoUSA.com. You can use networking sites like, TradeKey as well.

Note: there are always risks associated with importing. Although the importer may have received samples representing the coffee purchased, in most cases the actual coffee received will match the quality grade, type and source, every coffee lot is different, even from the same region and farm.

There are a few ways to lower this risk. One is to be sure you have a “green coffee contract” modeled after the Green Coffee Association Contract Terms & Conditions. Second, be sure to get an export sample taken directly from the contain prior to its being loaded onto the ship, since once the container is on the ship ownership transfers to the importer (FOB contract terms). Finally, when you purchase is large enough, personally knowing who your buying from and even visiting the country to physically select and monitor the export process is an option.

Author, Steve Josephs is CEO of Intellidon Marketing Solutions, whose family office coffee service business, the Great American Coffee Company, http://www.GourmetOfficeCoffee.com, is a premier Specialty coffee roaster and office coffee service provider in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan business community.

Copyright 2009 The Great American Coffee Company and Intellidon Marketing Solutions, Inc.

All rights reserved. Reprints are permissible when this Copyright statement and website link are included.

Author: Steve Josephs
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Colombia is a country known worldwide for its quality Specialty Coffee from Arabica beans. Historically, the best coffee produced in the country has been exported. Coffee left for domestic consumption has been of lesser quality or from different beans lacking the export quality certifications.

Right or wrong, the perception has been that Colombians do not drink good coffee at home. The reality is that Colombians are not yet addicted to fancy preparations such as cappuccino or iced latte.

Americans and Europeans drink two to three times more coffee than Colombians. Why is that?

• In Colombia, there is simply not a dominant culture of coffee, believe it or not.
• For example, for breakfast, many Colombians prefer to drink hot chocolate or fresh juice from a truly amazing variety of fruits available.
• Or they may choose to drink a beverage called “agua de panela’” made with brown sugar cane sold in blocks and dissolved in hot water.
• When Colombians drink coffee, they opt for less than other nationalities.
• However, over time, Colombians are adopting a preference for gourmet and specialty cafes selling drip brewed coffee, espresso based, hot beverages, other hot and cold drinks, and snacks.
• These cafes also sell merchandise such as shirts, jackets, mugs, whole beans, posters, books, music and other items.
• Adoption of strong coffee cultural habits is the result of effective marketing.
• This is a positive trend for the thousands of trade workers who benefit from high coffee consumption domestically, particularly when international sales are lagging.

What’s helping Colombians adopt a stronger culture of coffee drinking?

• Enterprising Colombian marketers and growers are committed to increasing current per capita consumption of 1.8 kilos per year by 30%.
• Launch of a long term strong national promotional and advertising campaign using multiple media and touch points with the slogan “Tome Cafe” (“Drink Coffee”).
• Main campaign objective is to establish coffee as the beverage of choice.
• The campaign includes education about quality and distinction between Specialty Coffee and other grades of the product.
• Business initiatives at the private and government level seek to identify and cater to the national consumer audience who can or is willing to pay for Specialty Coffee.
• Awareness of the independent certifying agency’s recognition when specific labels meet quality, environmental and social welfare requirements for specific certifications.
• Certification means that the coffee production process maintained high soil and water conservation standards.
• The use of pesticides was limited in accordance with principles of sustainable agricultural and waste disposal practices.
• The workers involved in the chain of events for the brand derived benefits to improve their social, economic and health situations.

According to the Colombian Specialty Coffee Program of the National Federation of Coffee Growers, their evaluation is based on the principles of sustainability, preparation and origin.

1. Sustainability means that communities growing this coffee are fully committed to protecting the environment and ensuring cleanliness throughout the production steps.
2. Preparation means that coffee is developed to meet the preferences of a particular client.
3. Origin identifies the region or particular farm where the specialty coffee is harvested. This type of bean is not mixed with any other in the tradition of a “limited edition.”

The growth of domestic Specialty Coffee consumption among Colombians will be the result of effective promotional and advertising messaging. Colombians are proud about their flagship export product and about the cultural traditions of strong family, music, literature, cuisine and religion from the coffee growing regions.

The success of the promotional efforts to get Colombians to drink more coffee will benefit their domestic economy and strengthen the production of great beans for years to come!

Dominant brands such as Juan Valdez and Oma Cafe already have a noticeable presence in the country with strategically placed specialty outlets.

The Juan Valdez chain of coffee shops was created by Colombia’s National Federation of Coffee Growers through Procafecol S.A, (Promotora de Cafe Colombiano), a company established in 2002.

• Juan Valdez Cafe is the only house chain from a coffee producing country.
• Procafecol is about 80% owned by the Federation.
• The rest of the shares are directly owned by more than 400,000 individual growers belonging to an association.
• There are about 120 Juan Valdez coffee shops in Colombia selling a range of products and merchandise on site. These shops are social meeting places for people of all ages and occupations.

Another dominant brand is OMA.

• Started in 1970, OMA owns shops selling all the usual hot and cold coffee drinks, and snacks.
• The shops also feature books and music.
• In addition, OMA owns a restaurant chain and a manufacturing facility for OMA Coffee Roasters.
• The name OMA is derived from German. OMA is an endearing word for “grandmother.”

In addition, there are several other less known specialty labels that focus on niche markets. They include:

• “Perfect Love,” owned by coffee roaster Luis Fernando Velez. Achievement: “Q” certification. Perfect Love is of export quality, sweet, aromatic, offering a cup with zero defects, very clean, pleasant after-taste and a remarkable acidity. Sold through institutional clients (businesses, hotels), limited points of sale in affluent areas or through special subscription orders.
• “Devotion Cafe” (known as “Veneto”), is another brand that sells their product domestically through a membership that includes a coffee maker, cup, plate and a spoon.
• “Aney” from the Cesar area. “Kogui” from the Magdalena area. “Mesa de los Santos” from Santander. “Cafe Aragon” from Medellin. “Jesus Martin Bedoya” from Armenia. “Salento” from Quindio. And there are more.

I’m ready for a good cup of my favorite Colombian Supremo Organic coffee. What about you?

Timothy (“Tim”) S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him “Gourmet Coffee Guy.”
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

Come visit the author’s website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com

Copyright – Timothy S. Collins. All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Author: Timothy S. Collins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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