We are thrilled to announce a new collaboration between Royalty Coffees and Apascoffee, a cooperative based in the district of Ferreiras, in São Gonçalo do Sapucaí, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Established in 2006 through the Associação dos Produtores do Alto da Serra (APAS), this cooperative was born from a collective vision to elevate coffee quality, empower local farmers, and promote sustainability across the coffee value chain.
Why This Partnership Matters
Apascoffee’s journey is one of growth, collaboration, and commitment to excellence.
It all began in 2006, when local farmers came together to form the Association of Producers from Alto da Serra (APAS). Their vision was simple yet powerful: to unite efforts, improve production standards, and build a collective path toward higher quality and fairer opportunities. Working together allowed them to enhance cup quality, boost profitability, and create better living conditions for their families and community.
With guidance from SEBRAE and EMATER, the group reached an important milestone in 2013 — achieving Fairtrade certification. This recognition not only validated their ethical and sustainable practices but also empowered members to turn many long-held ambitions into reality.
In 2019, the next step in their evolution took shape with the founding of the Cooperative of Producers from Alto da Serra (APASCOFFEE). The cooperative was created to streamline trade and expand export operations, focusing on specialty and certified coffees that represent the best of Minas Gerais.
Today, Apascoffee embodies a new generation of producers devoted to quality, traceability, and innovation — ideals that perfectly reflect Royalty Coffees’ mission to connect producers and roasters through direct, transparent, and responsible trade.
Fairtrade and Sustainability
Apascoffee holds Fairtrade International certification, guaranteeing ethical production practices and fair compensation for its 96 member farmers. This certification underscores the cooperative’s dedication to equitable trade and social development in rural communities.
Organic and Environmentally Conscious Production
The cooperative’s Organic Coffee Project promotes the transition from conventional to organic farming, ensuring healthier soils and ecosystems. Complementing this, the Solidarity Garden Project provides fresh produce to local schools — demonstrating Apascoffee’s holistic approach to sustainability and community well-being.
EUDR Compliance – Deforestation-Free and Regulated
According to the Fairtrade Deforestation Report (SPO_29097), issued on 15 July 2024, Apascoffee farms are fully EUDR compliant — meaning no direct deforestation has occurred within the cooperative’s mapped area (723.23 hectares, 96 farms) since January 1, 2021.
The report confirms:
– Zero hectares of deforestation detected within farm boundaries.
– No farms located in protected areas.
– All mapped farms comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements for sustainable coffee imports.
This compliance guarantees that all Apascoffee lots meet the latest European environmental due diligence standards, ensuring that Royalty Coffees’ imports are deforestation-free and traceable from farm to cup.
What This Collaboration Brings to You
– Exclusive access to high-quality coffees from Minas Gerais, Brazil — grown at altitude, carefully processed, and traceable to each farmer.
– Ethical and transparent trade, connecting roasters directly with producers who share our values.
– Verified sustainability through Fairtrade, Organic, and EUDR compliance.
– Full logistical traceability from Brazil to Royalty Coffees’ certified warehouses in the UK and EU.