HISTORY
In the humid mountains of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, very close to the Guatemalan border, lies Amatenango de la Frontera—a place where coffee has been, for generations, a family heritage rather than just a crop. It is in this environment that SIPRO was born: an association formed by nine young producers and their families, united to protect a craft that is slowly disappearing in the region.
The history of coffee in this area is also the history of thousands of small producers in Chiapas, who work tiny plots—often barely a hectare—and rely almost entirely on coffee to support their families. Although Chiapas is the Mexican state that produces the most coffee, it is also one of the poorest, and the lack of resources, infrastructure, and support has made it increasingly difficult to sustain this way of life.
In recent years, the region has faced a combination of intertwined challenges. On one hand, the climate has changed noticeably: the rains no longer arrive when they should, affecting critical stages such as flowering, which has dramatically reduced production volumes. On the other hand, finding labor during harvest has become very difficult; younger generations migrate to the United States in search of better opportunities, and the border—once crossed naturally by Guatemalan workers—has become a place many are now afraid to cross.
Adding to this are economic difficulties: agricultural inputs have become more expensive, local coffee prices remain low, and in recent years, rising insecurity in the area has affected something as basic as being able to transport the harvest. All these factors have made coffee production in Chiapas, for many families, an act of resistance more than a profitable business.
And yet, in the midst of this landscape, SIPRO represents a collective response. By organizing as an association, producers have avoided depending on unstable intermediaries and have found ways to connect directly with buyers who value their work. Their goal is simple yet profound: to ensure that the effort invested in each bean translates into the income needed to keep farming, live with dignity, and preserve the legacy of their ancestors.
Their vision is also closely tied to caring for the environment. The farms in Amatenango are worked under natural shade, using manual cleaning methods, soil conservation, and traditional agricultural practices that were at risk of disappearing. The increasing presence of wildlife—toucans, quails, armadillos—is a sign that these efforts are having a positive impact on the local ecosystem.
For this reason, every lot that comes from SIPRO is more than coffee: it is a declaration of resilience. It is proof that, even in the face of climatic, economic, and social challenges, these families continue to stand by a crop that is a fundamental part of their identity. Each harvest we receive is, in itself, a shared achievement.
This coffee is a way of honoring that perseverance—a bridge between those who grow it on the mountain slopes of Chiapas and those who enjoy it many miles away. By choosing it, you directly support a community that fights every day to keep alive a craft as fragile as it is extraordinary.
