Falcon’s partnership with Siruma Coffee in Colombia enables us to source specialty coffee while supporting sustainable coffee farming and the cultivation of eco-friendly practices across diverse social and agricultural projects.

In 2021, Falcon and Siruma Coffee announced a joint venture to source and market specialty coffee in Colombia. The objective is to provide farmers with greater access to premium markets while improving transparency throughout the supply chain.

2024 HIGHLIGHTS¹

• 392 MT of coffee sourced from 5 regions. This is a 63% volume growth over the previous year.

• High-scoring microlots and exotics (86+):
– 2023: 39 600 kg
– 2024: 64 357 kg

• Workshops delivered by field leaders: 65

• 1081 farmers trained (representing over 40% of those in the Siruma/Falcon supply chain)

• Farmers in Siruma who are women: 30%

¹ Metrics supplied by Siruma

THE OPPORTUNITY

Due to ongoing security challenges, some of Colombia’s largest coffee-producing regions remain among the most inaccessible. Establishing trade in specialty coffee within these areas offers a viable economic alternative to illicit crop production.

Falcon’s initiative with Siruma aims to give farmers better access to premium markets and enhance supply chain transparency – from the price paid to producers to the logistics of shipping.

THE PLAN

Siruma Coffee was founded and is run by Valentina Duque, an exporter focused on empowering producers and cooperatives by connecting them with specialty coffee buyers. The name Siruma originates from the Wayuu language, meaning “heaven” or “sky”.
At the heart of Siruma’s mission is a commitment to leaving a lasting legacy for the communities they serve. As Valentina puts it:

“It does not matter if we work in an area for one year, five years, or ten years – I want to provide the community with something of value that they will have long after Siruma is gone, whether it is training in cupping, picking, drying, or teaching farmers the business of growing coffee.”

The joint venture followed three years of building trusted trading relationships and was created to support the growth and deepen the impact of specialty coffee supply chains. Falcon sources a broad range of qualities—from core regional lots (84+) to exceptional microlots (85+), including experimental processes and exotic cultivars.

After consultations between Falcon and Valentina’s team, Siruma was given the resources to purchase coffee on Falcon’s behalf. This has significantly improved both the quality and consistency of Falcon’s Colombian offering, while also giving them a project-focused partner that shares their values.

Notably, 40% of Siruma’s staff work in sustainability roles – an uncommon structure and one that aligns well with Falcon’s own ethos.

ON THE GROUND

Siruma is currently active in the regions of Cauca, Tolima, Caldas, Huila, Risaralda, Antioquia, and Valle del Cauca. These areas were chosen for their potential to produce high-quality coffee and generate socioeconomic impact.

Siruma begins by establishing a baseline for each community to understand their specific needs. This is done through questionnaires and extensive fieldwork, carried out by three regional agronomists (each native to the area), an agricultural engineer, and an agro-industrial engineer. These agronomists then design projects tailored to local needs, which are implemented with the support of three field technicians.

Over the years, Siruma has developed a shared language with the farmers they work with – built through training in coffee evaluation, and helping farmers align their coffees with different profiles, price points, and cup scores in response to client demand.

For Siruma, partnering with Falcon also brings financial stability, which allows them to fund projects and exports, and to approach social lenders and roasters interested in supporting community-driven initiatives. With this support, their projects have become far more efficient and impactful.

THE RESULTS

The regions where Siruma operates have changed significantly in the six years since the organisation began its work – an evolution that reflects Siruma’s commitment and dedication.

Since 2021, 100% of Falcon’s specialty Colombian coffee has been sourced through supply chains that engage directly with Siruma.