CONVENTIONAL

Conventional coffee supply through traditional export channels continues to be central to trading operations at DRW. Despite the growth of the niche speciality and certified markets conventional supply continues to feed the bulk of the mainstream market and to sustain the industry at large. Our goal is to supply commercially priced coffees without compromising on quality.

We have built up and maintain long standing relationships with exporters in all major coffee origins that allows us to continually offer consistent and high quality conventional grades.

Conventional grades of coffee remain indexed to benchmark market prices, NYBOT for arabica and Liffe for robusta. Consequently, DRW makes use of hedging instruments in order to minimise our risk to market volatility.

More recently we have been able to offer greater traceability on our conventional coffees, which enables us to promote an open relationship in the supply chain where possible. This allows for improved quality control and the development of long-term relationships between our customers and and suppliers.

FAIRTRADE

Fairtrade coffee has grown strongly in the UK coffee market from niche product to one that now competes in the mainstream market.

DRW is the leading commercial importer of Fairtrade green coffees in the UK and we offer a wide selection of origins. We keep abreast of all main developments in the Fairtrade system, including regulatory changes and developments on the producer side in order maintain the quality of our service.

We have built up strong relationships with the top Fairtrade producers in Latin America, East Africa and Indonesia in order to provide the best quality coffee traded under Fairtrade terms. We travel to meet producers in order to directly communicate our requirements and to better understand the context in which they work. (www.fairtrade.org.uk)

ORGANIC

We have organic authorisation to import coffee from most origins in order to supply to this small but important market segment.

Although there is some demand for organic coffee on its own, we find that most demand for organic coffee is included in with demand for Fairtrade, allowing the benefit of both social and environmental seals applied to the coffee.

The improvement in organic methods means that our coffees under this certification are no different in quality to conventional grades. Indeed some qualities are proving to be superior, as farmers recognise the premiums that they receive.

DRW is accredited with the Soil Association. (www.soilassociation.org)

RAINFOREST ALLIANCE

The Rainforest Alliance seal is the first comprehensive set of standards to incorporate the ‘three pillars’ of sustainability – social, economic and environmental (or people, profit and planet). Conceived as much as an industry (in addition to consumer) response to sustainability demands, the Rainforest Alliance seal has begun to be adopted by roasters in the UK.

DRW was effectively the first company in the UK to begin actively promoting the Rainforest Alliance seal. Although consumer awareness for the seal remains comparatively low it is likely to increase as more companies seek to buy from RA certified farms.

For efforts promoting the seal, DRW was awarded the Rainforest Alliance’s ‘Corporate Green Globe’ Award in 2003. (www.rainforest-alliance.org)

UTZ KAPEH

Utz Kapeh is a world-wide certification program for responsible coffee production and sourcing. Coffee producers with an Utz Kapeh certification comply with the Utz Kapeh Code of Conduct: an internationally recognized set of criteria for socially and environmentally appropriate coffee growing practices and efficient farm management.

Buying Utz Kapeh-certified coffee allows roasters, retailers and brands to demonstrate assurance of responsible coffee production and traceability.

Utz Kapeh operates a unique web based track-and-trace system, providing the final buyer of Utz Kapeh-certified coffee with transparency on the origins of the product.

Utz Kapeh-certified coffee producers are located in Latin and Central America, Asia and Africa. Utz Kapeh (“good coffee” in a Maya language) is an independent foundation established as a partnership between coffee producers, roasters and non-governmental organizations. (www.utzkapeh.org)

DATERRA

PLANTATION
Daterra is a coffee grower best known for its innovative research, its respect for the environment and its high quality coffee. Plantations are located in the Cerrado region (State of Minas Gerais) and in the Mogiana region (State of São Paulo). The high altitude, stable temperature, and defined rainy season create perfect conditions for sustainable Arabica coffee farming. Daterra's uniqueness lies not only in its environmental philosophy: protection of wildlife, water resources, and native forests, but also in its social responsibility, promoting labor rights. Daterra's Program for sustainability is certified by Rainforest Alliance, Utz Kapeh, ISO 14001, BSCA, IBD organic, crowning the efforts of an 18-year project to establish Daterra as a fully sustainable coffee producer. Daterra's renowned quality assures roasters worldwide that the coffee it provides will deliver a high standard cup.

PENTA SYSTEM ®
Penta System® is a complex set of technological procedures by means of which Daterra can guarantee quality, certify origin and prove its reliability. The system ensures accurate monitoring and constant traceability of each quadra's historic track of rainfall, cultivation procedures and productivity Advanced agricultural methods, along with Penta® drying and sorting, yield the best coffee: full-bodied, nut-flavored with balanced aftertaste and great crema. In addition, Daterra's Espresso Quality Lab is the ultimate tool for high quality coffee. Trained cuppers participate in daily sessions to tailor the best blend for the ideal espresso or dripping in order to offer roasters simply the best.

COFFEE BLENDING
Daterra coffee comprise single origin and the best blends for each customer's demands. Single-origin coffee, which includes Reserve, Grand Cru and Vintage, renders the specific attributes inherent to each variety. Blending consists of combining different Arabica varieties and different processing methods in order to achieve acidity, aroma, body and flavor compatible with the target customer's preferences. Blending the green coffee before roasting offers the unquestionable advantage of being more economical and practical for the roaster. Daterra works with the cutting edge of technology. Its research into the attributes of each coffee variety aiming at the perfect blending puts it ahead of competition. Its Coffee Sense® software lists the attributes of each blend, grades the characteristics of each lot and informs the customer of the intrinsic traits of each cup. In addition, its management software enables Daterra to swiftly track specific lots. Here reliability means traceability.

PENTA BOXES® and the concept of VINTAGE COFFEE
As a coffee bean easily absorbs different odors, moisture and temperature change, we have developed the Penta Boxes®. The carton box weights 24,3 Kg and holds 2 packages of 12Kg each that are atmosphere controlled and sealed to keep the coffee safe. The boxes have also shown that coffee can last for 2 years and half and yet provide a better cup. Just like “to old the wine” the Penta Boxes proved that “to old coffee” is a reality.

AWARDS AND ACHIEVMENTS
2001 – 4th place at Cup of Excellence
2006 – Illy Supplier for 12 years
2005 – Rainforest Best Practices coffee farm
2005 – Best Brazilian Rainforest Coffee
2005 – Daterra blend used by the winner of the World Barista Championship
2006 – Daterra blend with La Minita used by the winner of the World Barista Championship

(www.daterracoffee.com.br)

DECAFFEINATION

DRW are the exclusive UK and Ireland agents for Swiss Water Process coffee. The coffee is decaffeinated through a a unique water process, offering exceptional results. Not only are no chemicals are used but the coffee retains its individual characteristics. Coffee can be bought either pre-blended or as individual origins. Swiss Water is a branded product offering free point of sale material. It is also available as Fairtrade and Organic. (www.swisswater.com)

OTHER INITIATIVES

DRW also assists our customers in securing coffee through a number of specific initiatives. These currently include:

ETI: DRW facilitates Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) audits for clients. The ETI was formed as a UK government-backed initiative to source products in accordance with its ‘base code’, whereby suppliers comply with and seek to implement standards that guarantee safe and decent working practices. (www.ethicaltrade.org)

Relationship coffee: DRW has set up numerous direct relationships between producers and customers. This allows for quality coffees to be rewarded directly with premiums over market prices and helping to develop long term business.

Cup of Excellence: DRW supports customers' participation in the Cup of Excellence programme. The Cup of Excellence is a competition that selects top quality green coffee lots from entrants around specific countries. These are then judged by national and international judges with the winning finalists placed up for internet auction. (www.cupofexcellence.com)

QUALITY CONTROL

DRW implements quality control procedures in order to maintain high standards and consistency of supply. All coffee is subject to strict grading and cupping analyses at our facilities in central London prior to shipment and once the coffee has arrived.

Our long term relationships with suppliers offers us the initial security that we will be delivered the right quality against our contracts. It also gives us leverage in order to get quick response to and compliance on customer quality demands, for example in relation to screen size, defects, cup characteristics.