Beyond Fair Trade: A Unique Partnership

(Left to right: Wicha, Piko & John M.)

Under the structure of Doi Chaang Coffee Company, our farmers enjoy a carried position in what is essentially an equal partnership.

First, the farmers are paid in excess of the price recommended by the Fair Trade Organization for their green beans. And they retain 100% of the proceeds from the sale of their beans. Second, in appreciation of the value of their contribution to the venture and the desire to improve the Thai farmers' living standards, the Canadian group "gifted" the Thai farmers a carried 50% interest of the Canadian company, Doi Chaang Coffee Company.

Over the next five years, annual coffee production is projected to increase to 4,000 tons, of which approximately 60% (2400 tons) of production will qualify as Premium Grade A beans and 5% (200 tons) will qualify as Peaberry beans.

Only those superior beans will be sold under the name Doi Chaang Coffee Company, while the other 35% of production, comprising of various sized and broken beans, will be sold directly by the Thai farmers, for their sole benefit, to international coffee buyers.

Doi Chaang Coffee Company is based in Vancouver, Canada, and the roasting facility is located in Calgary, Canada.