Success Stories: Ciacafé RL Brings San Juan Sacatepéquez Coffee to the World
The story of Ciacafé RL begins in the heart of Asunción Chivoc, San Juan Sacatepéquez. This cooperative was founded in 2011 with the firm purpose of transforming its members’ lives as well as introducing the world to the richness of its coffee. It all began with an agronomic management course attended by local producers.
For two years, they learned techniques to restore coffee plantation, manage pruning, and control shade. The result was extraordinary: production increased by 200%, instilling a spirit of innovation and improvement in the community.
Thanks to the support of the Social License from the Cementos Progreso San Gabriel Plant, producers received training that marked a turning point.
Today, Ciacafé not only grows coffee, but also manages the entire cycle: from seed selection to the served cup. This process includes the transformation of ripe fruit into parchment grain and the implementation of its own roastery, a milestone reached in 2024 that represents a leap towards commercial independence.
Ciacafé: From Asunción Chivoc to the world
Ciacafé’s commitment to quality earned it a producer-exporter license from Anacafé, paving the way for entry into new international markets.
This vision of expansion reached a milestone when, through the joint efforts of Gestión Social, Amigos Progreso de Planta San Gabriel, and the Embassy of Taiwan, the cooperative had the opportunity to represent Guatemala at an international fair.
This meeting not only elevated Guatemalan coffees reputation, but also allowed us to explore business opportunities in a strategic market that supplies much of the world.
Traveling to Taiwan allowed us to visualize our products’ potential and confirm that our coffee is highly valued in international markets, shares Dimas Boror, Ciacafé’s commercial manager. This experience opened doors to establishing business relationships that will drive the cooperative’s growth in the coming years.
A future of flavor and opportunities
Today, Ciacafé offers roasted and ground coffee sold in convenience stores and internationally, increasing the brand’s presence and sales at all levels.
This progress is the result of the unity, perseverance, and collective work of the producers, who found in the cooperative a platform to make their dreams come true.
This progress is the result of the unity, perseverance, and collective work of the producers, who found in the cooperative a platform to make their dreams come true. For Norma and Sebastián, members of the promotion and sales team, this achievement means international visibility: «Our goal is to enhance the coffee from San Juan Sacatepéquez and open doors to the world. Thanks to Progreso’s support, we are achieving this.»
Ciacafé’s story is proof that when community and business work hand in hand, the impact transcends borders and transforms realities.
Ciacafé RL, from Asunción Chivoc, San Juan Sacatepéquez, promotes the quality of Guatemalan coffee with innovation, exports, and an international presence, bringing the flavor of Guatemala to the world.
