In a milestone moment at the 2025 Specialty Coffee Expo in Houston, the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) and the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) signed a transformative Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing the traceability, differentiation, and global recognition of Colombian specialty coffee.
Held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, the signing ceremony was attended by industry leaders including Garfield Kerr, President of the SCA, and Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the SCA, along with Germán Bahamón, CEO of the FNC, and other dignitaries.
This agreement builds upon a longstanding collaboration between the two organizations, formalizing a shared vision to set new standards for specialty coffee and open greater opportunities for Colombian coffee growers.
Key Components of the Partnership
Under the MoU:
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Farm-Level Adoption of CVA: The Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) methodology will be implemented from the farm level across Colombia’s specialty coffee sector.
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Training and Technical Support: FNC technical teams and cuppers will undergo intensive training to master CVA protocols, with the SCA providing technical assistance and capacity-building resources.
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Customized CVA Application: A dedicated digital platform for Colombian coffee will be developed to enhance data tracking, analysis, and communication of coffee attributes.
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Research and Data Sharing: The SCA will collaborate with the FNC by sharing CVA data to inform Colombian producers about evolving market trends and preferences.
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Transparency and Direct Market Access: The agreement aims to strengthen transparency, linking farmers directly with buyers who value quality and craftsmanship.
Through this partnership, the FNC becomes an official CVA Patron, positioning Colombia at the forefront of global efforts to redefine how specialty coffees are evaluated and promoted.
Official Statements
Germán Bahamón, CEO of the FNC, stated:
“Colombian coffee growers are at the heart of the world’s specialty coffee community. By adopting innovative tools like the Coffee Value Assessment, we open the door to greater recognition, alignment with market preferences, and prosperity for our farmers. Colombia, the heart of specialty coffees.”
Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the SCA, added:
“Partnering with the FNC represents a major milestone for the Coffee Value Assessment and our shared mission to make coffee better for all. Coffee is more than a score — it’s a story of people, place, and potential.”
A Landmark Moment for Specialty Coffee
The signing, taking place during the largest gathering of specialty coffee professionals at the 2025 Expo, highlights the growing importance of partnerships focused on quality, transparency, and equitable value distribution across the coffee supply chain.
Through joint promotion efforts, international events, and sustained global outreach, the SCA and FNC aim to amplify the voice of Colombian specialty coffee, empowering producers and enriching the global coffee community.