Costa Rica – La Pastora

In 1966, CoopeTarraz R.L., now a globally renowned coffee, was first planted in La Pastora, the highest point of Tarraz in the Los Santos Region of Costa Rica. The cooperative represents 5,000 coffee producers who not only earn a living but also enhance their communities through their coffee production work. The plantations are located at altitudes ranging from 1,200 to 1,900 meters, in climatic and soil conditions that are ideal for coffee cultivation. A majority of these plantations are nestled under the shade of the region’s native trees.

Over the years, CoopeTarraz has upheld an unwavering commitment to processing coffee in an environmentally friendly manner, adding higher value to their product, and fulfilling their export obligations with clients in terms of quality and timelines. These principles have become an integral part of the cooperative’s brand identity.

Nestled amid verdant mountains, the high-altitude coffee plantations of CoopeTarraz produce beans with unique characteristics. The cooperative is the principal coffee mill of the Los Santos Region and of Costa Rica, processing approximately 200,000 (69kg) bags annually. In the Los Santos Region, 28,000 hectares are dedicated to coffee cultivation, contributing to 40% of Costa Rica’s national coffee production. Located 80 km from San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital, in the canton of Tarraz, the cooperative is supported by over 5,000 associates and has a rich history and tradition in coffee production.

CoopeTarraz was founded on October 13th, 1960, by a group of 228 small coffee producers seeking fairer market conditions. Their determination has transformed this enterprise into the largest coffee cooperative in Costa Rica. Every coffee bean produced by CoopeTarraz carries the Fair Trade Certification, assuring consumers that the cooperative’s coffee producers receive a fair price for their product, thus maximizing profitability.

In compliance with Costa Rica’s environmental and health regulations, CoopeTarraz focuses on the continuous improvement of processes to manage all waste produced by coffee processing. Over recent years, the cooperative has succeeded in composting 100% of the grain pulp residues. This compost is returned to the producers as organic matter, which is reintegrated into the plantations. About 70% of the pulp is transformed into conventional compost and provided to associates free of charge. The remaining 30% is used in enhanced amendments and organic alternatives promoted by CoopeTarraz and supported by scientific studies from the University of Stuttgart, Germany.