FTA Coffee is proud to be working alongside the legendary Aida Batlle to represent her and the Aida Batlle Selection in Australia.
The Aida Batlle Selection (ABS) is a unique coffee sourcing program designed to incentivise and educate producers, millers, and exporters to upgrade their operations and find better reward through access to the specialty coffee market. The program currently operates in El Salvador, Mexico, Brazil, and China.
The ABS team possesses extensive knowledge and experience that spans the coffee value chain from origin operations of farm husbandry and milling, quality preparation and verification, and specialty market buying priorities and strategies.
At the farms, growers and pickers are taught best practice picking and sorting techniques, with an emphasis placed on the importance of separating the ripest coffee cherries for processing. Blood red and burgundy red cherry is identified as the ideal ripeness levels and the different flavour characteristics each will present is explained, as is the selection of which process is best for each selection.
At the wet mills, the ABS team inspects equipment to advise on effective and efficient operation and ensures accurate calibration and processes for cleaning and maintenance. The ABS team also provides education and guidance on the different wet processing methods the program offers. Advice is also given on drying processes and how best to optimize mechanical dryers, patio drying operations, and drying beds.
At the dry mills, the ABS team works to ensure cupping lab equipment, protocols, and personnel adhere to or exceed SCA protocol. Inspection and verification of dry mill equipment, preparations, and subsequent guidance is provided as it is critical to ensure the required quality standards can be achieved by each milling operation producing coffees for the ABS program.
Pricing for coffees sourced by the ABS program is transparent, with participating producers and exporters aware of the price at which the coffee will be sold. Currently, the producer is guaranteed a minimum premium of USD $0.40/lb, the exporter receives a premium of USD $0.10/lb to cover incremental expenses, and the ABS program receives USD $0.20/lb to support ongoing management and expansion of the program.
The program operates a tiered pricing structure based on market prices at the time of contract, with additional premiums determined by varietal and processing method.
El Salvador & Mexico
The basic structure for coffees from Mexico and El Salvador is outline below, and you can find more info on how these coffees are priced here.
If the C market is USD $1.85/lb or below the base price will be at USD $2.55/lb for washed lots. Alternate processes attract the listed premiums.
If the C market is USD $1.85/lb - USD $2.85/lb, the base price is the market price plus the processing premium listed below.
If the C market is USD $2.85/lb or above the price will be fixed at USD $3.55/lb for washed lots. Alternate processes attract the listed premiums.
Brazil
The basic structure for coffees from the ABS Alchemy Line Brazil is outlined below, and you can find more info on how these coffees are priced here.
If the C market is USD $1.55/lb or below it will be a fixed price of USD $2.31/lb. Alternate processes attract the listed premiums.
If the C market is USD $1.55/lb - USD $2.55/lb add USD $0.65/lb to the close price in New York on the date of the transaction. Alternate processes attract the listed premiums.
If the C market is USD $2.55/lb or above the price will be fixed at US$3.31/lbs, plus any applicable processing premium.
Differentials for other lines from the ABS Brazil program are listed below:
Microlots
Estate Coffees
Blended Line
In addition to pricing transparency, producers receive the benefit of extensive traceability and monitoring. This is a critical component as viability and long-term sustainability are crucial to the success of the program.
All of the coffees that are sourced through the Aida Batlle Selection are done so with the aim of providing mutual benefit to each actor in the coffee value chain. By providing farmers with access to the knowledge and tools needed to produce higher quality coffees, and ensuring that their skills are adequately valued, Aida’s work ensures that coffee farming remains a viable livelihood and that all members of the global coffee community can thrive as a result.
