Women Coffee Producers
Coffee would not exist without the labour of women. Across producing countries, women are a key part of how the coffee is produced and exported from, picking, sorting, and processing cherry at every stage Yet ownership and decision-making in the industry have not kept pace with that contribution.
Orange Brown works with women producers in Brazil, and we can help you source coffee that reflects that partnership directly.
The gap this addresses
The disparity is well documented. According to the International Coffee Organization's 2018 report on gender equity in the coffee sector, women perform up to 70 percent of the labour involved in coffee production worldwide, yet only an estimated 20 to 30 percent of coffee farms are operated or owned by women. In many producing regions, women also have less access to land titles, credit, and the decision-making structures that determine how coffee is priced and sold.
Why roasters are asking for this
More roasters are looking to buy coffee from women producers as a direct, practical way to support closing that gap, not just as a message on a bag, but as a sourcing decision that puts money and demand behind farms and cooperatives led by women.
If your customers ask where their coffee comes from and who grew it, sourcing from women producers gives you a genuine answer, backed by an actual relationship, not just a marketing claim.
How Orange Brown sources women-produced coffee in Brazil
We work directly with women producers and women-led groups in Brazil, and we can source lots specifically tied to that work. Depending on the harvest and the group involved, this can take a few different forms:
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Women-led farms.
Some of the coffee we source comes from farms owned and managed directly by women, where the woman producer holds the land title and makes the growing and processing decisions.
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Women's groups within larger cooperatives.
In some cooperatives, women members organize to have their coffee identified and sold separately from the general pool, so their work and their lots are recognized individually rather than blended into a larger, undifferentiated harvest.
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Premiums that go back to the producer.
Where applicable, we work with these groups to ensure the value of sourcing their coffee specifically is reflected in what they are paid, not absorbed elsewhere in the chain.
What you can expect when you reach out
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1. Tell us what you need.
Volume, budget, and any flavor profile preferences help us identify the right match.
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2. We share what is currently available.
Availability of women-produced lots depends on harvest timing, so we will let you know what we can offer right now.
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3. We arrange a sample.
As with any coffee we source, you should taste it before you commit.
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4. We confirm details and next steps.
Once you are ready to move forward, our team will walk you through pricing, quantity, and shipping.
Contact us to source women-produced coffee →
Frequently asked questions
Does Orange Brown only source women-produced coffee from Brazil?
Yes, currently our women producer sourcing is focused on Brazil, where we work directly with women-led farms and women's groups within larger cooperatives.
Will you tell me which specific farm or cooperative the coffee comes from?
We do not publish individual producer names publicly. When you reach out, we can share relevant background on the group or farm behind a specific lot as part of the conversation.
Does sourcing from women producers cost more?
Pricing depends on the specific lot and harvest, not simply on whether it comes from a woman-led operation. In some cases, a premium is built in to ensure the value reaches the producer directly, and our team can walk you through the details for any lot you are considering.
How do I know a premium is actually reaching the producer?
We work directly with the farms and groups we source from, and can speak to how value is passed back when you ask us about a specific lot.
Can I request a sample before committing to a full order?
Yes. As with all of our sourcing, we recommend tasting a lot before you commit to volume.
Is this coffee certified in any particular way?
Certification varies by lot and group. Some may carry organic, Rainforest Alliance, or other certifications, while others may not be certified but still meet our internal quality and sourcing standards. Ask our team about the specific lot you are interested in.