721 Members - based in San Martin de Pangoa, 450 km from Lima
72 Members are certified organic
105 Members currently in transition to organic
Altitude of plots between 1,100 and 2,000 meters
Crop diversification includes cocoa and honey

Located in the district of San Martin de Pangoa, the CAC Pangoa (Cooperativa Agraria Cafetalera Pangoa) was founded by its original 50 members in 1977. Today, its 721 members, along with its team of directors, technicians and employees are working hard to compete in a complicated international market. The majority of the coop members still cultivate coffee on five to ten hectare plots. The cooperative promotes strong leadership and gender equality.

Pangoa Cooperative is actively involved in promoting the social and economic welfare of its members. About five years ago, the cooperative initiated its organic program to teach members of best organic practices as well as helping community groups to understand all internal and external inspection norms. Pangoa has promoted the diversification of production, with cocoa production in lower elevations and honey production. They also use revenue from Fair Trade coffee sales to sponsor several initiatives: Credit and savings support, crop diversification programs, women's organization promotion, insurance, infrastructure imporvements, and technical assistance.

"With the Fair Trade price we hope to increase our organic production so that we can improve and conserve the soil and subsequently increase our productivity. With increased revenue from Fair Trade sales, we plan to improve all technical aspects of our production." Ing. Esperanza Dionisio Castillo,CAC Pangoa, General Manager


For more information, visit the Pangoa website.