Indonesia Adopts SCA’s Coffee Value Assessment as Official Protocol, Advancing Specialty Coffee Standards and Education
The Specialty Coffee Association of Indonesia partners with the SCA to implement the Coffee Value Assessment as Indonesia’s official quality standard, enhancing transparency, global market access, and coffee education.
In a move set to redefine the future of Indonesian specialty coffee, the Specialty Coffee Association of Indonesia (SCAI) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) to formally adopt the Coffee Value Assessment (CVA) as the national protocol for evaluating specialty coffee. This collaboration marks a pivotal step toward raising quality standards, boosting transparency, and expanding education for coffee professionals across Indonesia.
As Asia’s second-largest coffee producer, Indonesia is renowned for its diverse coffee origins, spanning regions such as Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and Bali. By aligning with global protocols such as the CVA—already adopted by Brazil and Colombia—Indonesia solidifies its role as a forward-thinking leader in the specialty coffee industry.
The Coffee Value Assessment is an innovative, multi-dimensional framework created by the SCA to evaluate coffee across physical, affective, descriptive, and extrinsic attributes. Unlike traditional cupping forms focused solely on taste, CVA encourages a more holistic and inclusive understanding of coffee value—enabling better storytelling, traceability, and equity for producers and stakeholders throughout the supply chain.
Under the terms of the agreement, the SCA will provide technical support to SCAI, including educational content, training for local cuppers and educators, and global promotion of Indonesian coffee. SCAI will take the lead on national implementation, integrating CVA into competitions, quality control systems, and certification programs.
“This partnership is a milestone for Indonesia’s coffee community,” said Daryanto Witarsa, President of SCAI. “Adopting the Coffee Value Assessment gives our producers the tools to tell the full story of their coffee. We’re advancing quality, equity, and market opportunity for everyone involved in our vibrant coffee sector.”
As part of the rollout, Indonesian coffee professionals will gain broader access to SCA Education programs, including certifications and workshops designed to align with the CVA framework. These initiatives aim to empower producers, exporters, roasters, and baristas with internationally recognized knowledge and credentials.
The CVA will also be embedded into national competitions, allowing Indonesian coffees to be judged and promoted using the same globally accepted language of quality. This alignment with international standards is expected to open new doors for export growth and improved value recognition on the world stage.
“This partnership brings our mission to life,” said Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association. “The adoption of the Coffee Value Assessment by SCAI is more than just a protocol change—it’s a statement of Indonesia’s commitment to transparency, sustainability, and the celebration of every hand in the value chain.”
The agreement builds on a longstanding relationship between SCA and SCAI and signals a deepened commitment to shared goals in quality assurance, research, and sustainability. As global demand for traceable, high-quality coffee grows, Indonesia’s integration of the CVA places it at the forefront of a global shift toward inclusive value systems in coffee production.
By embedding education, evaluation, and equity into one framework, the CVA ensures that Indonesian coffee can not only meet but lead in global specialty coffee trends.
To learn more about the Coffee Value Assessment and this new chapter in Indonesian coffee, visit:
🔗 www.sca.coffee
🔗 www.scaindonesia.or.id
