Welcome to
Oaxaca
location
oaxaca
México
Océano
Pacífico
Golfo de México
Guatemala
Our presence in Oaxaca
Hectares
Coffee producers
100
369
Average farm size per producer (Ha)
Men
Women
0.27 ha
190
179
Communities
35
Coffee production in Oaxaca
4
Production in Oaxaca during the 2019-2020 harvest was 354K bags (60kg)
Oaxaca contributes to 8,9% of the national production
place
1,0
Average farm size
hectares
Varietals
Typica, Bourbon, Oro Azteca, Marsellesa and Mundo Novo
95%
More than 95% of the coffee is washed (no official data available)
400-2,000
ms.n.m
Sources : Mexico’s Coffee: states and regions /Review Fitotec Mexico/Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Production methods in Oaxaca
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
*100% of the farms we buy coffee from are traditional polyculture systems.
Indigenous languages in Oaxaca
4,132,148 total speakers
416,082
population
259,472
population
173,088
population
121,859
population
Mixe
113,133
population
110,186
population
Chinanteco
Others
Mazateco
Zapoteco
Mixteco
In the communities where we buy coffee the producers are native speakers of indigenous languages, with 75% speaking Mazatec and 25% speaking Mixtec.
Culture and tradition
1
The festival of the dead or S'ui k'ien is an important ritual for the Mazatecs. It is celebrated from October 27 to November 5, a period when work activities are paralyzed, because it is the time when the living receive the purified souls of the deceased. On the first day it is believed that the dead leave the underworld in the form of huehuentones or chá so h'o or chájma in Mazateco.
2
The Mazatec agricultural calendar is regarded as a valuable guide for food production. It provides precise dates for sowing various crops such as corn, pumpkin, chayote, beans, coffee. Additionally, it serves as a reliable resource for determining the ideal timing for crucial agricultural practices, including fertilisation, weed control, and planting.
Agriculture and economy
Because of the long distances from urbanised areas and trade centres, coffee-growing communities developed a solid food production system of organic food.
Food production relies heavily on family farming. This approach fosters a sense of reciprocity and communal effort known as "Faena" (referred to as tequio, guelaguetza, fajina, kórima, among others in different regions). For instance, community members take turns assisting each other in harvesting crops, eliminating the need for external harvesters.
Community organisation plays a vital role in decision-making processes, encompassing various sectors such as security, education, healthcare, sports.
Challenges in Oaxaca
Oaxaca is the third poorest state in Mexico, with 64% of is population living in poverty (24.3% extreme poverty and 39.6% moderate poverty).
The education sector in the state is among the most vulnerable in the country, ranking high in educational lag, with an illiteracy rate of 11.8%.
The precarious and insufficient road infrastructure hinders access and circulation in the region, reducing the competitiveness of the coffee industry.
The lack of access to market and financing for coffee farmers leads to poor farm management which negatively impacts the yields.
The absence of coffee tree renovation means most plantations are old and very vulnerable to pests, diseases, and climate change, further impacting the yields.
Ensambles regenerating
Families receive a higher income for their coffee. During the 2022-2023 harvest, we paid our allied producers up to 65% above local prices.
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.
We have expanded our network from 41 producers last year to 369 currently, representing a 900% increase in just one year, the result of having year-round presence of our field team with communities.
We have formed partnerships with the Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca and government programs to link producers to a better market.
Nearly 50% of our network consists of women producers, contributing to financial empowerment and reducing gender inequality gaps.
We incentivise agroforestry and organic production systems that provide environmental services and contribute to the fight against climate change.
We incentivise agroforestry and organic production systems that provide environmental services and contribute to the fight against climate change.
