Specialty Coffee Association and Specialty Coffee Association of Indonesia Collaborate to Standardize Use of the SCA Coffee Value Assessment and Advance Coffee Education in Indonesia
New partnership designates the SCA Coffee Value Assessment as official protocol for Indonesian specialty coffee, advancing transparency, education, and global market access for the country’s producers.
May 16, 2025 – Jakarta, Indonesia — The Specialty Coffee Association of Indonesia (SCAI) and the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) have entered into a strategic agreement to implement the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) as the official protocol for evaluating Indonesian specialty coffees. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marks a significant step forward in Indonesia’s commitment to quality, education, and innovation in the global coffee sector.
As the second-largest coffee producer in Asia, Indonesia boasts a rich heritage of coffee cultivation across its diverse archipelago. This new agreement positions Indonesia as a leader in adopting more holistic and inclusive systems of quality assessment, following recent MoUs signed by the SCA with Colombia and Brazil, and reinforces a global shift toward equitable and comprehensive value recognition across the coffee value chain.
The MoU outlines a collaborative roadmap for the adoption of CVA in Indonesian competitions and quality control programs, while also expanding access to SCA Education offerings throughout the country. SCAI will lead the national rollout of training and certification programs and ensure that Indonesian producers, cuppers, and coffee professionals are equipped with the tools to compete and thrive in a dynamic international marketplace.
“This partnership is a milestone for Indonesia’s coffee community,” said Daryanto Witarsa, President of the Specialty Coffee Association of Indonesia. “By adopting the Coffee Value Assessment and expanding SCA education locally, we’re not only raising the bar for quality but also opening new pathways for producers to tell the full story of their coffee. It’s a step toward greater equity, visibility, and opportunity for everyone in our coffee value chain.”
Under the agreement, the SCA will provide technical assistance and support SCAI-led events with content and international promotion. This includes training Indonesian cuppers and educators on the CVA, supporting data collection and implementation, and helping elevate Indonesian coffee’s reputation on the global stage.
The Coffee Value Assessment was developed by the SCA to evaluate coffee based not only on flavor but also on physical, affective, descriptive, and extrinsic attributes. This multi-dimensional approach encourages and promotes a more complete and transparent understanding of coffee’s value, benefiting both producers and buyers.
“At the heart of our purpose is a commitment to make coffee better—not just in the cup, but for everyone along the value chain,” said Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association. “This partnership with SCAI brings that vision to life. By embracing the Coffee Value Assessment, Indonesia is championing a new language for quality—one that honors not just the product, but the people, places, and practices that shape it.”
This agreement builds on a longstanding relationship between the two associations and sets the stage for continued partnership through events, research, and shared standards. By aligning national evaluation and education practices with international frameworks, SCAI and SCA aim to foster new opportunities for growth, connection, and excellence across Indonesia’s coffee sector.
To learn more about this partnership and the implementation of the CVA in Indonesia, visit www.sca.coffee and www.scaindonesia.or.id.