About our transparency reports

Since 2010, we have published the prices we pay for green coffee. We believe that any coffee business serious about sustainability must also be transparent and open about what they pay the farmers they source from. Fair pricing and sustainability go hand in hand. Farmers cannot be expected to focus on sustainable practices if they are not first able to make a decent living.

Although the idea of transparency is widely discussed within the coffee community, there is still resistance among many roasteries to publish real numbers. By sharing actual figures, roasteries can support the producers they buy from by creating a benchmark for what quality coffee is worth. Transparency not only gives other roasteries who are committed to building long-term, sustainable relationships with farmers a clearer idea of the prices they should be paying, but it also enables farmers to use these reports as leverage when negotiating prices.

How we buy coffee

At Tim Wendelboe, we believe that the way we buy coffee should reflect our values: transparency, long-term relationships, and a commitment to quality. While our approach varies slightly depending on the country of origin, the principle remains the same: to work as closely as possible with producers while ensuring they are fairly paid for the quality they deliver.

Central and South America

In Central and South America, we buy coffee directly from farmers. Exporters provide essential services such as milling and logistics, allowing us to bring the coffee safely to Norway.

  • Finca Tamana

    Coffee is purchased directly from farmer Elias Roa. Fairfield Trading assists with milling and logistics.

  • Finca El Puente

    Coffee is purchased directly from Marysabel Caballero and Moises Herrera. They mill and pack the coffee themselves, while Boncafe supports with logistics.

  • Nacimiento

    Coffee is purchased directly from Jobneel Caceres Dios, with milling and logistics handled by San Vicente.

  • Los Pirineos

    Coffee is purchased directly from Diego Baraona, who also mills and packs the coffee at the farm.

Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, we import coffee with the help of the French importer Belco Trading. Their experience and network ensure that the coffees reach us while maintaining quality and traceability.

Kenya

In Kenya, the system works differently. We buy from wet mills organised under co-operative societies. While we try to return to the same mills each year, availability and quality ultimately decide where we source from. We cup coffees through exporter C. Dormans’ direct sale offers and negotiate prices with the cooperatives, supported by a marketing agent chosen by the mills themselves. The final F.O.B. price (Free on Board) includes the agreed price plus fees for milling, marketing, and logistics.

How we determine price

Over the years, we have worked closely with producers to improve production techniques, such as slow drying on raised beds, drying under shade, and stricter sorting. These practices increase production costs, but they also elevate quality. It is therefore our responsibility to pay more for the kind of coffee we want to buy.

In the past, we paid higher prices for higher-scoring coffees and less for lower-scoring ones. However, the cost of production is essentially the same regardless of cup score. Today, we focus on actual production costs and negotiate prices directly with farmers on that basis. This approach ensures that farmers receive a fair and stable price, while we maintain full transparency throughout the trade.

Even when we buy from the same farms year after year, there can be significant differences between lots. At Finca Tamana, for example, we may buy eight separate lots of the same variety, distinguished by harvest date, bean size, or quality. These differences influence both scoring and pricing.

The Pledge

In 2019, we signed The Pledge – an industry-wide commitment to a shared standard for transparency reporting. By signing, companies agree to publish the prices paid for at least one coffee each year. We go further, reporting all our annual purchases.

The Specialty Coffee Transaction Guide

We also support The Specialty Coffee Transaction Guide, developed by researchers at Emory University. Based on donated data from more than 100 contributors – roasters, importers, exporters, and farmers – the guide provides benchmarks for pricing by quality, quantity, and origin.By analysing this data, the guide provides a clear picture of how prices vary according to volume, quality, and origin. This makes it a valuable tool for everyone in the supply chain, from producers to roasters, as well as the wider public – to better understand what quality coffee is actually worth.For us, this is a step forward in creating greater accountability. When a roaster claims to pay a fair price, there is now a credible benchmark to compare against. It allows us all to move the conversation from vague promises to transparent numbers.

Transparency Reports

Terms used in the reports