We are approaching the peak of the coffee harvest in Mexico. In coffee-growing regions, daily life changes—producers put all their energy, strength, and knowledge into coffee, the golden, orange, and red little fruits that support much of the rural economy in several states.
At Ensambles, we are part of this effort. We offer producers our tools, expertise, support, and optimism to help ease the harvest, post-harvest, and commercialisation processes.
This season has come with its challenges. Our partner producers have dealt with climate-related issues such as droughts, extreme sun exposure, and heavy rains. Additionally, the aftermath of natural disasters like Hurricane John, which impacted Guerrero, and wildfires that destroyed coffee plantations in the Sierra de Flores Magón, Oaxaca, in 2024, have also taken a toll.
We acknowledge the climate crisis and its undeniable impact. However, some of the most experienced producers remind us that the harvest cycles we are seeing now are not completely new. For them, harvesting coffee in January and February already happened in the past.
Fresher Coffee
According to climate authorities, Mexico is preparing for a year of significant weather changes. Colder temperatures and droughts are expected in some regions.
In the country, the cold season usually lasts from October to March, and this year, severe cold fronts between January and February have directly affected coffee development. With lower temperatures, the maturation of the beans slows down, disrupting harvest schedules and delaying collection.
Beyond the weather, Mexico’s geographical location also plays a role in determining harvest times. The region’s latitude affects the temperature and the amount of solar radiation it receives, which in turn impacts coffee cycles. As we move further from the Equator and closer to the north, the harvest tends to be later compared to other Central American coffee-producing nations.
Our purchasing stations are officially open
For over four years, our connection with producers has evolved beyond a simple transactional relationship. We aimed to challenge the norm that commercial distributors are typically foreign and detached, creating strategies to close the gap between those who grow the coffee and those who sell it.
This is how the collection warehouses and mobile laboratories were created, established directly in the origin regions during the harvest. These spaces help reduce distances and simplify coffee delivery, preventing producers from having to travel for hours or, in the worst-case scenario, being forced to sell their harvest to middlemen or "coyotes" at unfair prices. We strategically position these centers to ensure that even the most remote communities have accessible and efficient locations.
This year, we have already set up our warehouses in the regions of Oaxaca, Veracruz, Guerrero, and Chiapas, where the Ensambles' operations team and the IBT's field team work closely. In addition, some farms in the most remote areas have been transformed into community warehouses.
An example of this is the house of Rubén Cervantes in Loma Alta, one hour from Huautla de Jiménez, Oaxaca, which will serve as a collection point for producers in this locality. This model is also being replicated in Xochiltepec, the Sierra Mixteca, Los Altos de Chiapas, to name a few.
Finally, through the "From the House to the Warehouse" program, Ensambles will collect the coffee from these points, then transport them to the main warehouse, where the quality control team will conduct cupping, assign scores, and set the price for each coffee.
Employment, Logistics, and Community
Finding the right spaces to store coffee is a challenging task. Many of the available locations are not built to maintain ideal climate conditions and are often too humid, which can negatively impact the quality of the beans.
The regions’ road constraints make transportation difficult. Warehouses must be in accessible locations, but in many areas, finding spaces large enough for a trailer to enter is a challenge. This raises operational costs, as the smaller the freight volume, the higher the cost per kilogram of coffee transported.
However, the harvest season also offers numerous benefits, not only for those directly involved in coffee, but for the entire community.
One of the key benefits of Ensambles’ model is the generation of temporary employment. During the harvest season, we need more staff than at other times of the year, providing job opportunities for residents.
Building Trust in Times of Uncertainty
We’ve been observing the uncertainty surrounding the future of coffee in recent months. However, these critical moments have reinforced the value of the work we've built over the years with the IBT, as well as with the companies and NGOs supporting our impact projects at the origin. This effort is now beginning to pay off.
In the face of the current imbalance between supply and demand, which has led many producers to break their commercial agreements, our network remains strong.
Thanks to the trust we've established, our partners have renewed their commitment to us, securing their harvests to supply our stocks and fulfil orders for all of you. This trust not only strengthens us, but also provides security for you.
At Ensambles, we want to reassure you: we are in a good place, there might be small delays, but we expect to start milling our first lots in March. Furthermore, we are confident that we will be able to ship the first coffee loads earlier than last year.
Additionally, we are optimistic that we will ship the first coffee loads ahead of last year’s schedule.
We sincerely appreciate your trust and understanding.
Photos: Osiris Martínez, Ensambles Cafés Mexicanos, Pablo Gómez.
Comments