Following coffee on its journey from farm to cup, after it’s harvested and prepared for export, we encounter the importer as the next operator in the coffee value chain.

The importer as a link between producing and consuming countries plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining long-term relationships bewteen both ends of the value chain.

However, the value of the importer is much more than a simple link.

1. Network in producing countries

The work of an importer starts at origin. 

Travelling to producing countries, getting to know the work of coffee farmers and cooperatives on the ground (farms, harvesting, cultivation and processing methods, as well as the challenges faced on a daily basis) is very important in order to start sustainable long-term relationships, which are based on trust and professional ethics.

These trips and all the contacts made grant the importer the opportunity to get to know new projects which may give market access to the work of producers, thus making it possible for coffee roasters to choose from a broad offer of coffees from many origins and of varied cup profiles.
 
2. Quality control 

The main component of the importer’s daily work is controlling the quality of the imported green coffee.

The importer receives samples from his suppliers and assesses them in both physical and sensory terms. He then decides to purchase the coffee lots that meet his quality requirements.

After purchasing the selected coffee lots, the coffee is shipped. Once it arrives at the importer’s warehouse, samples are taken and assessed, in order to confirm that the quality of the landed coffee corresponds to that of the pre-shipment samples and that the coffee has not suffered any loss during transport.

3. Document control 

Importing green coffee requires a considerable amount of document control which ensures that both the product and the operators involved in the supply chain at origin comply with the necessary requirements so that the coffee lot can be marketed internationally (Certificates of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificates, etc.). It is the responsibility of the importer to make sure that all regulations are respected and that there are documents to prove that.
 
4. Logistics and traceability 

The importer, as an organisation that transports green coffee all around the world, is responsible for freight, insurance, customs, etc., thus assuming multiple risks, such as delays, bottlenecks in international transportation, currency fluctuations, among others.
Moreover, as the owner of the coffee since the moment the purchase contract is signed, the importer is responsible for maintaining lot traceability at all times and for passing it on to the next operator of the value chain.
 
5. Knowledge and advice  

Thanks to its intermediate position and experience in both worlds (producing and consuming), the importer can offer a broad vision of the industry to any professional working in it.

Also, her experience at origin plays a fundamental role in giving advice to roasters regarding flavour profiles, qualities, prices, among others.

Definitively, importers are in charge of connecting farmers to roasters, assuming therefore a double responsibility: firstly, a responsibility towards farmers, giving them market access and contributing to making the value of their daily effort known; secondly, a responsibility towards roasters, giving them access to a broad portfolio of green coffees, of fully guaranteed quality, complying with all regulations and ready to be roasted.

The extensive experience of the importer regarding markets, exchanges, logistics, etc., combined with the knowledge of origin countries and the coffees produced there, plays a critical role in the coffee’s journey from farm to cup.