PATROCÍNIO, Brazil – 2023 was a year of great achievements for the Cerrado Coffee Growers’ Cooperative (Expocacer), who shipped more than 1.3 million 60kg coffee bags (nationally and internationally), 20% more than in 2022, achieving a new historical record.
Expocacer achievements in 2023
This trade represents more than 1,328,256,000 (one billion, three hundred and twenty-eight million, two hundred and fifty-six thousand). Currently, the region produces around 15% of the country’s coffee and the good results came at a very important time for the cooperative, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year.
Another major accomplishment, not just for Expocacer, but for the history of coffee growing, was that the cooperative became the first in the world to receive the regenerative certification at the end of 2023.
“Our strategy is aligned with market demands, not only for coffee as a product, but mainly focusing on the production and consumption chain. These results represent the effort and commitment of our cooperators who have been doing an excellent job for years, as much with society as with the beans and the environment,” says Ítalo Henrique, Expocacer’s Commercial Director.
With more than 8,100 hectares of regenerative coffee, the cooperative received the certificate from Regenagri, a global organization that aims to guarantee the health and preservation of the soil, certified by the British, Control Union.
This label confirms the integrity of Expocacer’s processes in receiving and processing certified regenerative coffees, highlighting the sustainable practices carried out, such as renewable energy, selective collection and traceability of stored coffees, following the product’s journey from its entry into the warehouse to its distribution to final consumers.
ESG Initiatives
Still thinking about the environment, the cooperative has adopted clean and sustainable energy consumption through photovoltaic solar power generation. The initiative will promote a permanent reduction in Expocacer’s carbon emissions and electricity costs, which should be a monthly reduction in the emission of 12 tons of carbon. The energy generated by the solar panels is equivalent to planting 105.8 trees, avoiding the emission of 77.45 tons of CO2 and not using 65.22 tons of charcoal.
The year was marked by several innovative initiatives and partnerships, such as the publication of a study by the Institute for Forest and Agricultural Management and Certification (Imaflora), carried out on 20 coffee farms associated with the cooperative, which shows that the farms capture more carbon than they emit.
The institute found negative emissions of -0.2 tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to one hectare per year.
This phenomenon occurs when the carbon capture from the soil and plants is greater than emissions, and by analyzing the farms’ GHG emission estimates, Imaflora got at an absolute value of 15,400 tCO2e.year-1, which is considered very low.
“Expocacer’s producers are always at the forefront of technology, innovation and sustainability. The carbon balance study, carried out in partnership with Imaflora, proves the sustainable work that our producers have been doing for over 10 years. We also have an exclusive department for sustainability issues, where we guide and encourage good practices among our cooperators,” said Farlla Gomes, Expocaccer’s Technical Coordinator for Sustainability.
About Expocacer
Established in 1993 and located in Patrocínio/MG, the Cooperativa dos Cafeicultores do Cerrado (Expocacer) promotes coffee quality and the work of its members in Brazil and around the world through significant socio-environmental initiatives and contributions to the regional economy. The cooperative’s infrastructure includes two warehouses with a capacity for over 1 million bags. Currently, they serve 680 producers, exporting to more than 30 countries across 5 continents.
