The beneficiaries of the La Asunta coffee project received their payment for the export of high-quality beans to France.

 La Paz, January 4th, 2021 (United Nations) .- In an emotional ceremony held in the Community of La Asunta, in the Yungas of La Paz, the beneficiaries of the coffee export project received their payment for the export of high quality beans to France. This is the first result of the work carried out since 2018 by the community through the technical assistance of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the support of the Government of France (MILDECA).

The president of the Integral Association of Agroecological Producers "El MIRADOR" (AIPAEM), Rafael Andia Sarmiento, expressed his gratitude for the payment received, especially for the social context that Bolivia is in, where a possible outbreak of COVID-19 puts the economic stability of the communities in risk. Additionally, they thanked UNODC for its permanent support and requested that technical support be continued during the future of the project.

This is the result of a work that started in 2018 with the support of France (MILDECA) which reactivates coffee exportation after around 15 years. A total of 207 bags weighing 12,420 kilograms of high-quality coffee were exported for the French, Belgian and Swiss markets, generating a profit for the community of 41,000 US dollars (285,369 Bolivianos).

600 families from the municipality of La Asunta work together with UNODC, with the aim of exporting 20 containers of coffee per year to Europe in the next 5 years. This project intends to improve the quality of life of coffee producers with decent and sustainable income, as well as mitigate the advances of surplus coca in a climate of social peace.

The Malongo company is based in Nice, France, and processes the roasting of more than 8,000 tons of coffee per year, coming from different continents. This company is recognized for its energy and innovation, it markets high quality coffee varieties (gourmet coffees) in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets in France and exports through its "Les Malongo Cafés" stores, to other European countries and it stands out that it is the first coffee roaster that offers coffees in vacuum metal containers, which guarantees the preservation and presentation of sophisticated and unique coffees in the world.

The French firm is marketing coffee produced in Burma, within the framework of the UNODC Global Program for Alternative Development, with the new range of coffee called Shan Mountain Coffee and soon, one hundred percent Bolivian high-quality coffee will be available in the French, Belgian and Swiss markets.