Caravela Coffee

Every year, we dedicate time and effort to measuring the footprint we leave on the communities and people we work with. Through self-assessment, we identify how we can improve and create a more positive impact year after year. To take this a step further, we’ve created custom impact reports for our roaster partners. These reports are valuable tools to raise awareness and help roasters better understand their relationships with coffee communities in Latin America—their unique challenges and the shared responsibility in bridging gaps toward sustainable and prosperous development. Swipe to see how these reports can benefit you and help drive meaningful change!

Join us for Caravela’s first non-coffee tasting event: Cacao & Conversations! Guided by Kate Cavallin from Cacao Latitudes, you will take part in a curated tasting experience, exploring the rich and diverse flavours of speciality cacao from around the world with the help of speciality bar makers, Pump St and Chocolarder. Beyond the tasting, Kate will share valuable insights from the cacao industry, discussing the latest trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of cacao. Whether you're a connoisseur, a professional, or simply curious, this event promises a flavourful journey and a wealth of knowledge. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to taste, learn, and connect. RSVP here https://lnkd.in/eXYVeHn8

A week ago, I shared why Caravela Coffee believes that buying cherry is a flawed strategy for the specialty coffee industry. Following some comments on the initial article, today I’m delving deeper into this topic, shedding light on significant drawbacks associated with this approach. Stay tuned for the third installment, where I'll uncover the history of centralized wet mills in Central America and the valuable lessons they offer. #BetterCoffee #SpecialtyCoffee #ValueCreation #Prosperity

In challenging times with rising inflation and increased costs of production, cutting expenses is tempting. But let's be honest – cheaper coffee is not the answer for a successful specialty coffee business. When roasters save on coffee costs, they compromise on value. Instead, paying fair prices brings more than just great beans. They get direct access to origin, long-term relationships that foster trust, time saved, fewer uncertainties, and quality guaranteed. Cheap coffee might seem like a quick win, but it doesn't sustain the supply chain or create prosperity for those who grow it. Let’s focus on value, not price, aiming towards a long win, not just settling for the short win. When getting cheaper coffee, you’re compromising your value as a brand, and you start competing with non-coffee companies. Cheaper coffee is not good coffee, and it’s not good for those who produce it. Together, we can build a better future for coffee, with valuable specialty coffee brands and we can all maintain a steadfast commitment to our values. We're happy to hear your thoughts. #coffee #prosperity #specialtycoffee #coffeeprices

There are many ways to navigate the coffee market, manage uncertainty, and achieve success in this industry. However, not all solutions fit everyone. At Caravela, our goal is to work closely with each customer to understand their unique needs and help them identify the best solutions for their business. One effective way to manage market volatility is through fixed contracts. When you choose to fix a contract with Caravela, the price is known and locked in. This means you aren’t subject to unpredictable market fluctuations. While you may occasionally miss out on short-term savings, the long-term benefits of a fixed price—like easier analysis of your COGS, P&L, and financial planning—are invaluable. We believe in fostering a coffee industry where farmers and roasters come together at the table, agreeing on stable and beneficial conditions for everyone involved. It’s about creating a win-win situation that ensures prosperity across the supply chain. Let’s work together to build a more resilient coffee market—one that values stability, fairness, and long-term relationships.

If you're in the coffee roasting and brewing business, you've undoubtedly noticed that coffee futures have remained elevated since early 2024, significantly higher than a year ago. At Caravela, we closely track market dynamics and are ready to share insights that can help roasters navigate these conditions effectively. The C-market has been consistently between $2.30/lb. and $2.45/lb., with occasional spikes above $2.50/lb., and expert consensus indicates that prices won't be dropping soon. Why are prices holding steady at these levels? The answer is straightforward: climate challenges. Severe dry weather is affecting most producing regions, with Brazil and Vietnam—the world’s top producers—being hit especially hard. Rising demand for Robusta coupled with declining exports from Vietnam have pushed Robusta futures to all-time highs. High market volatility has led producers to hold back coffee, and buyers —including roasters— to hesitate from purchasing amidst price fluctuations. These issues are not isolated; they're part of a larger trend driven by climate change. Central American harvests have been plagued by climate-related challenges, impacting yields and physical quality significantly. In Ecuador and Peru, dry weather and forest fires are disrupting harvests. From Colombia to Mexico and Nicaragua, we’ve observed smaller bean sizes and increased natural processing due to drought and delayed rains; Brazil faces similar conditions. The result? Coffee prices are likely to remain high.   This is why forward booking is more critical than ever. It provides producers with the security of committed buyers, enables Caravela to strategically source and purchase coffee within our value chains, and allows roasters to stabilize their forecasting and planning, giving them the confidence to manage other aspects of their business.   Waiting for prices to drop isn't a viable strategy, just as relying on cheap coffee isn't sustainable for the specialty coffee industry. Proactive measures today are crucial for ensuring a resilient and prosperous future for coffee. Take action now—reach out to us to explore forward booking options and strategies that can help secure your supply chain and support the growers who make your coffee exceptional. Let’s work together to build a more sustainable and resilient coffee future.

A few weeks ago, we shared about coffee growers in Colombia and other Latin American countries opting for cherry selling. We invite you to check out this recent article where you can get further information about the pros and cons of the cherry market.

If you're enthusiastic and passionate about making the supply chain and logistics better and more efficient, we invite you to join our team! #supplychainleader #coffeesupplychain

Recently, many coffee growers have been selling their cherries to wet-milling facilities for quicker cashflow and less effort. While this trend offers short-term benefits, it reduces the incentive for growers to maintain quality during post-harvest, impacting their competitiveness and the unique attributes of specialty coffee. At Caravela, we understand these challenges. Through our PECA Program, we provide comprehensive support to coffee growers, offering real numbers and tailored scenarios to help them make informed decisions. Our PECA team, many of whom are coffee growers themselves, brings invaluable experience and insight, guiding farmers to maximize their income while preserving coffee quality. Together, we strive for a sustainable and competitive future in coffee cultivation. Let's continue to champion quality and prosperity in every cup.

Delighted to have Alejandro C. CEO of Caravela Coffee with us to start Day 2 of the Belbin Team Roles (UK - Head Office) International Teams Conference. A keynote on "A Journey Towards Transformation" - what a way to start today's programme. #teams #effectiveteams #leadership #belbin