Colombia Coffee Origin Trip - Ringtons Business

Last month, our coffee buying team packed their bags and flew over 5,000 miles to Colombia — one of the most important coffee-growing countries in the world.

The goal was to build stronger relationships with our producers, deepen our understanding of their challenges, and continue making sure the coffee we serve is sourced with care.

Two Regions, Seven Flights, Countless Insights

Our Head Buyer, Sadie Walton, and Coffee Specialist, Chris Scott, spent a week on the ground visiting two key coffee regions, Risaralda and Huila – hosted by our long-term partners at Carcafe, the Colombian arm of Volcafe.

In Risaralda, we walked the very farm where beans for our Single Origin and Speciality blends are grown: Finca La Estrella. Seeing the trees up close, and meeting Diego, the farmer behind them – was a reminder that every cup begins with real people and real care.

Then, in Huila, we toured Carcafe’s mill in Neiva — one of four across the country. It’s here that coffee is assessed, blended, and prepared for export by a team of expert tasters. It’s also where precision meets passion, ensuring that each lot we receive meets the high standards our customers expect.

The Big Picture: Farming in a Changing Climate

While the scenery was stunning, the challenges facing Colombian farmers were clear. Unpredictable rainfall, driven by climate change and the El Niño/La Niña cycles, is making it harder to plan harvests. This year’s bumper crop may be followed by a poor one — a “feast or famine” cycle that puts pressure on already fragile farming communities.

Another major challenge? Labour. Coffee picking is tough, skilled work — and the average picker is now over 56 years old. Farmers are having to work harder to attract seasonal workers by offering better wages, food, housing and even WiFi. It’s a big shift, but it’s helping farms stay productive and sustainable for the long term.

Why These Visits Matter

Not everything on the trip went to plan — delayed flights, missed meetings, even a landslide — but that’s the reality of working at origin. What matters most is being there. Whether it’s meeting producers like ASPROTIMANA, a Fairtrade group doing brilliant work in their community, or understanding when a supplier might not be the right fit for us, every visit helps us buy better.

We’re proud that Ringtons invests in these trips. They make our supply chain stronger, our relationships deeper, and our coffee — the one you serve to your customers — even more meaningful.

If you would like to try some of the coffee that uses products from these regions of Colombia, or want to know more about our coffee supply chain, please to not hesitate to get in touch.