Welcome to Guerrero
guerrero
Location
guerrero
México
Océano
Pacífico
Golfo de México
Guatemala
Our presence in Guerrero
Hectares
Coffee producers
190
193
Average farm size per producer (Ha)
Men
Women
0.98 ha
120
73
Communities
33
Coffee production in Guerrero
5
Production in Guerrero during the 2019-2020 harvest was 155K bags (60kg)
Guerrero contributes to 3,9% of the national production
place
1,8
Average farm size
hectares
Main varietals
Typica, Oro Azteca, Sarchimor, Costa Rica 95 and Bourbon
80%
More than 80% of the coffee is natural processed (no official data available)
1,000-2,000
masl
Sources : Mexico’s Coffee: states and regions /Review Fitotec Mexico/Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Production methods in Guerrero
5
40
30
20
10
Forest system
Traditional polyculture
Commercial polyculture
Shade-grown monoculture
Full-sun monoculture
Note: Although there is no official study, based on our empiric observation at Ensambles, approximately 90% of the production systems can be described as traditional polycultures and rustic forest systems.
*Height in meters
Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Figura-4-Sistemas-de-cultivo-de-cafe-en-Chiapas-Mexico-Elaboracion-propia_fig2_357470123
*Production systems applied by producers in the origins where Ensambles is present
Indigenous languages in Guerrero
3,540,685 total speakers
156,740
population
142,091
population
124,292
population
1,665
population
Others
Me’phaa
Náhuatl
Mixteco
In the communities where we buy coffee the producers are native speakers of indigenous languages, mostly speaking Me´phaa.
Culture and tradition
1
Farmers in Guerrero believe that the full moon season is the perfect time for sowing crops, as it will guarantee prosperous. They also express gratitude to the earth and the rain god Tata Begó for providing moisture to the soil, which ensures fertility and good quality products.
2
Guerrero is the second-largest producer of mezcal, a traditional beverage that traces its roots back to pre-hispanic era. Even today, the ancestral methods of creating mezcal are still practiced in the region.
3
In Guerrero a ritual called La Tigrada takes place during May and August. This ritual serves as a tribute and a prayer for a plentiful rainy season. While participants are wearing costumes, performing traditional dances, drinking mezcal and making offerings.
Agriculture and economy
Guerrero state showcases an exceptional agroforestry system known as 'tlacolol.' Within this system, a wide range of crops including corn, beans, squash, chili, and maguey are cultivated.
It follows a unique approach where short cultivation periods are interspersed with long fallow seasons, allowing for vegetation recovery and soil regeneration. Additionally, it is common to preserve certain stumps and trees as they foster the propagation of other plants valued for their diverse uses and functions.
Owing to the beautiful nature landscapes, beaches, caves, ancient archeological sites and the small towns, favored by their history and tradition the tourism in some parts of Guerrero has emerged as a vital economic source.
Challenges in Guerrero
Guerrero is the second state in Mexico with higher poverty rate of 66% (26.9% extreme and 38.7% moderate).
Guerrero takes the lead in illicit activities that exacerbated the violence, such as the cultivation of poppy whose gum is used in the making of hard drugs.
Guerrero is one of the states in Mexico with the highest rates of violence against women, including psychological, physical, sexual, economic, and property-related violence.
With an illiterate rate of 12%, Guerrero ranks third nationally in educational deficiencies.
Guerrero is one of the states with the worst conditions in internet and mobile phone coverage.
The abandon of coffee plantations is prevalent, resulting in low yields, coffee plants are not replaced (they can reach up to 50 years of age), and the soil suffers from nutrient deficiencies.
The precarious and insufficient road infrastructure hampers access, circulation in the region, and diminishes the competitiveness of the coffee industry.
Before Ensambles entered the state, the coffee industry was dominated by a monopoly, there was only one coffee buyer who dictated prices based on their own interests.
Ensambles regenerating
Families receive a higher income for their coffee. During the 2022-2023 harvest, we paid our allied producers up to 47% above local prices. This has led to a 50% higher wage for agricultural laborers, who went from being paid 100 Mexican pesos to 150 Mexican pesos per day.
As a result of the promotion of the specialty coffee production, we have connected producers to national and international markets, with full traceability.
So that more producers can offer their coffee on the demanding specialty market, we provide producers with training all year long about farm management, nutrition, soil health, pest control, wet milling, and sensory analysis.
By running regional laboratories for physical and sensory analysis in coffee producing communities, we seek to bridge the gap between producers and the world of specialty coffee.
Our field team is led by a Me’phaa woman who accomplished her university studies shattering stereotypes in a community that has been deeply affected by sexism, violence and gender discrimination.
We have established direct connections between indigenous women producers and markets, fostering their economic independence and empowering them in the process.
We are actively promoting the transition from low intervention agriculture to active organic practices, and ultimately towards regenerative farming approaches.
