Costa Rica was the first Central American country to establish a successful coffee industry and the first port of call was England in 1832. There are eight diverse growing regions namely, Guanacaste, West Valley, Central Valley, Tres Rios, Turrialba, Orosi, Tarrazu, Brunca.
Hailing from the Central Valley and Tarrazu, Coopelibertad was formed in 1961. Prior to 1961, much of the coffee industry in Costa Rica was previously owned by wealthy families and private companies that left little aid and support for small producers. Their protest yielded a spectacular moment of freedom for small coffee farmers in the Central Valley and Tarrazu. The union created a space for farmers to improve financial and social conditions, and the opportunity to market their coffees beyond borders. Producers predominantly grow Caturra and Catuai varietals, however due to the invasive disease of coffee tree rust, producers are planting and nursing more resistant varietals such as Obatan and Marsellesa for the agricultural development in the regions.
