Specialty Coffee Association and Colombian Coffee Growers Federation Sign Landmark Agreement at Specialty Coffee Expo Houston
Specialty Coffee Association and Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) Sign Landmark Agreement to Advance Specialty Coffee Traceability and Value
Houston, April 25, 2025 — The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) proudly announce the signing of a transformative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today at the Specialty Coffee Expo in Houston. This partnership marks a significant step forward in enhancing the differentiation, traceability, and global appreciation of Colombian specialty coffees.
Historically, the SCA and FNC have collaborated on various projects, but this new formal agreement unites their strengths in a shared vision: to unify specialty coffee standards and create new opportunities for producers across Colombia.
Germán Bahamón, CEO of the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation, emphasized the potential impact of this collaboration: "Colombian coffee growers are at the heart of the world’s specialty coffee community. By adopting innovative tools like the Coffee Value Assessment, we open the door to greater recognition, alignment with market preferences, and reward for the diversity and excellence of our coffees. This partnership with the SCA and the FNC strengthens our commitment to promoting prosperity for our farmers and delivering exceptional coffee to the world. Colombia, the heart of specialty coffees."
The initial focus of the partnership will be the implementation of the SCA’s Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) methodology within the FNC’s processes. The FNC will train technical teams and cuppers in the application of the CVA, integrate data collection at origin, and explore its broader adoption across Colombian coffees. Meanwhile, the SCA will support this effort with technical assistance, training, a customized CVA application, and global promotion of the results. In addition, the SCA will support the FNC’s research efforts by sharing CVA data on coffee attributes and market preferences. A key objective of this data is to inform producers about evolving market trends and preferences—ensuring that insights gathered through the CVA directly benefit coffee-growing communities.
Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association, remarked:
"Partnering with the FNC represents a major milestone for the Coffee Value Assessment and our shared mission to make coffee better for all. Coffee is more than a score—it's a story of people, place, and potential. Together, we aim to highlight the extraordinary diversity of Colombian coffees, improve market connections, and ensure a more equitable value distribution across the coffee value chain."
The signing at the Specialty Coffee Expo — the largest gathering of specialty coffee professionals — provided the perfect stage for this important announcement. This partnership is expected to deliver tangible benefits to producers, roasters, and consumers alike, strengthening the entire specialty coffee ecosystem.
By working together, the SCA and FNC are poised to set new standards for transparency, quality, and recognition in specialty coffee, driving positive change for the industry and for the farmers who make it all possible.
For more information about this collaboration and how to get involved in the next stages of development, please visit the Specialty Coffee Association website.