Central and South America

The high mountains and humid rainforests of Central and South America provide the perfect climate for growing coffee. We source our beans from across the continent, from southern Mexico, through the central regions to Colombia, Peru and the high plateaus of Brazil.

Brazil

Today, most of the world’s coffee comes from Brazil; favored for its mild acidity, smoothness and bittersweet chocolate notes. We are among the country’s largest coffee exporters, with extensive integrated processing capabilities and expertise on the ground, to supply roasters around the world.

Colombia

Known for its rich, mild flavor, today experts consider Colombian coffee among the best in the world. Our on-the-ground presence in Colombia is supported by three coffee mills and a network of buying offices. We offer most coffee varieties and qualities, including regional specialties like Medellín, Huila, and Tolima.

Guatemala

Guatemala is the tenth largest coffee origin in the world, blessed with over 300 microclimates, rich volcanic soil and a long artisanal tradition of coffee production. ofi is one of the country’s top 4 exporters with an upstream buying model that allows us to directly source micro lots from individual farmers that we know personally, for a fully traceable, specialty cup.

Honduras

The coffee from the Central American coffee powerhouse Honduras, is known for its smooth, sweet flavor. Our agronomy and buying experts source from over 800 farmers and cooperatives to offer a full range of popular arabica varieties, as well as specialty coffees from areas like Marcala and San Marco.

Mexico

Coffee did not arrive in Mexico until the late 18th century, but today the country is one of the world’s largest producing origins, with a lot to offer. Distinctive and fruity profiles, a positive social and environmental impact, and a rich coffee-producing heritage. Our team of 38 agronomy and buying experts work with over 100 cooperatives and farmer groups to source mainstream and specialty coffees. Our origination capabilities have been enhanced by establishing two coffee mills supported by seven buying units.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua’s rich volcanic soils, tropical climate and mountainous regions provide the perfect ground for high-grade coffee. As a top three exporter, ofi brings Nicaragua’s certified and specialty arabicas to roasters worldwide, supporting over 2,000 farmers and their families who grow the crop on their small farms, amongst native and exotic fruit trees.

Peru

For much of Peru’s coffee history, its beans have mostly been enjoyed locally. Today the country is one of the highest certified coffee distributors in the world, with many growers that were once limited by poor infrastructure, now getting the chance to let their coffees shine on the international market. ofi’s agronomy team work with over 5,000 producers on improved cultivation and processing techniques to raise yields and quality.

Read ofi news

Articles Dec 7, 2023

ofi Employee Spotlight: Horacio Bueno and Shannon Arballo, North America

Intro: Internships are often a rewarding and eye-opening experience for new grads. They offer real-life opportunities for you to find out what you would enjoy spending your career doing, outside of just reading about it in a textbook.

Sometimes it shows you maybe the career path you’ve been considering isn’t for you. Luckily that was not the case for two interns at ofi, Shannon Arballo and Horacio Bueno.

 

Your full name: Shannon Arballo

 

Your city and state:  Fresno, CA

 

Your job title: Food Scientist

 

Your functional area (i.e. Finance): Innovation

 

Q: How long have you been at ofi? (years): 4 years

 

Your full name: Horacio Bueno

 

Your city and state:  Fresno, CA

 

Your job title: HRIS Manager

 

Your functional area (i.e. Finance): HRc

 

Q: How long have you been at ofi? (years): 6 years

Press Release Nov 29, 2023

ofi's Carbon Scenario Planner wins prestigious Food Ingredients Europe Award

ofi’s Carbon Scenario Planner (CSP), a new digital tool developed to help food and beverage manufacturers model the impact of different scenarios for reducing greenhouse gas emissions has won the 2023 Sustainability Innovation Award at Food Ingredients Europe in Frankfurt. This is the second year in a row that ofi has been awarded this prestigious recognition, following last year’s award for its Cocoa COMPASS sustainability strategy.

 

The CSP allows ofi to model the outcome of different decarbonization interventions tailored to local contexts, so it can work with its customers to plan and cost out climate actions. It helps ofi's customers tackle the complex and challenging issue of Scope 3 emissions which occur in a company’s value chain and make up the bulk of the food and beverage industry’s carbon footprint.

 

Dr Christopher Stewart, Global Head of Sustainability at ofi, said: “We're delighted that Food Ingredients Europe has chosen to recognize the progress we’ve made. For our customers, knowing where carbon emissions are coming from in their supply chains is critical to understanding how to reduce them cost-effectively, and meet science-based climate targets. The Carbon Scenario Planner translates ideas into detailed, robustly modelled scenarios that can deliver long-term greenhouse gas reductions.”  

 

The tool is embedded into ofi’s sustainability management system AtSource, which provides customers with data and insights for use in reporting their environmental, social, and economic impacts. ofi recently used the tool with a global coffee company to whom it supplies Guatemalan coffee beans. It modelled a 32% carbon reduction scenario to help support the customer’s climate commitments, identifying three impactful scenarios: using training for farmers to help them upcycle coffee waste, replacing chemical fertilizer with organic, and providing farmers with semi-mechanized tools to improve yields. 

Articles Nov 28, 2023

Cultivating the next generation of process engineers

For over a decade, ofi has developed the next generation of process engineers and technical excellence in the Netherlands in partnership with Food & Process Tech Campus of Regio College in Zaandam. Tijmen Hoeve, ofi's Training Coordinator, shares three reasons why we invest in internships and how they add value to our operations and the wider society:

 

Developing in-demand skills

 

It all started with a skills gap in the industry. In the Netherlands, we have a shortage of technical skilled occupations such as engineers, ICT, and technicians, and the Covid pandemic hasn't helped the situation either. European Commission reported that in 2022, there is still a shortage of engineers. And to highlight the labor issues on the continent, it announced 2023 as the European Year of Skills. 

 

This challenge also requires long-term support and investment to make a difference. The internship ofi offers, which has been running since 2012, is connected to the Food & Process Tech Campus program. The four-year course, aimed at 17-21year olds, gives students a mix of theory and practical experiences in a real-life setting. Over four years, students can apply their technical understanding in our facilities in Koog aan de Zaan or Wormer. 

 

Investing in the future

 

Equipping students with the right skills to enter the workforce is a way to help future-proof the industry. Since 2012, ofi has given 5,000 euros annually to the college, which has helped to fund its practical room and the necessary safety equipment and contributed towards the teacher's salary. In some cases, we've even employed some students who have come through the program. It's a great way to develop talent that deeply understands your business.

 

Giving back to the community

 

I started my career in the food industry, working in various roles in food engineering. After 12 years of food tech, I channeled my passion into training the next generation of process engineers. Teaching is in my blood. My grandfather was a headmaster, and my father was a teacher, as is my brother, so I felt like a natural next step in my career. 

 

When I moved into education, I helped develop the curriculum for the Food & Process Tech Campus course and have previously worked at the college itself, so I have a strong understanding of what the students need to be successful in the course and to transition into the industry. I'm proud we support a local college, within walking distance of our facility in Koog aan de Zaan. Hear from Zlatan what it's like to be an intern at ofi.

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