THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF COFFEE GROWERS
The FNC: Founded in 1927 to build the prosperity of the Colombian coffee farmers

The Colombian Coffee Federation (FNC) is entirely owned and controlled by Colombia's coffee farmers, (cafeteros) of whom there are over 500,000.

By joining together in the Federation the farmers achieve the benefits, and power, that only a large organization can provide. This is especially important, as the average size of an individual coffee farm in Colombia is around 2 hectares. Everything the Federation does is for the benefit of all coffee farmers. All profits are channeled back to the cafeteros and their communities.

One important and direct result of the Federation's work is that Colombian Coffee, today sells at a significant price premium on the international coffee market, providing a higher standard of living for the cafeteros.

The Colombian Coffee Federation represents commercially successful fair-trading, proven over 70 years.

The Price Guarantee: A buffer against a volatile and unpredictable international coffee market The farmers are guaranteed an adequate, stable income.

Extra revenue generated when international prices are higher is held in reserve in order to maintain a minimum price when the international price drops. In the early 1990's this system served to compensate the farmer's $1.5 billion shortfall.

Each Cafetero is paid directly by the FNC, and just as important, they will always buy the farmer's coffee.

However, the farmers are under no obligation to sell to the Federation, as it has no form of commercial monopoly. In fact, there are over 50 private shippers and 40 co-operatives operating in the Colombian coffee trade.