In the globalized world we live today, one of the most valuable heritages is the recognition of products and services due to their unique characteristics, sometimes associated to their origin, be it a region or a country.

The worldwide coffee business has been evolving in a way similar to the one traced by wines, with more advanced sensorial analyses that allow the identification of aromas and flavors specific to each region. More attention is being given to the origin of coffees; geographical indications and certification of origins are becoming more important and allow for better communication with consumers.

APROCAM, the Coffee Growers’ Association of the Mantiqueira region, is the organization that represents and organizes the coffee growers of the micro region located in the Mantiqueira mountain range, on the Minas Gerais side; in the area known as Water Circuit (“Circuito das Águas” in Portuguese).

The organization of the micro region’s coffee growers is developed through APROCAM, with headquarters in Carmo de Minas, Minas Gerais state. APROCAM promotes meetings, seminars, training sessions and presentations for its members; it also represents its members in several coffee forums, offering information and promoting the coffee culture of the region and the quality of its coffees. 

Over the years the work developed by APROCAM – at institutional level, regarding capacity building of coffee growers, and the definition of market strategies – has gained international recognition, helping the micro region and its coffees to become well-known.

Some of the activities developed by APROCAM are:

• Post-harvest Field Days (“Dias de Campo”) in members’ farms;
• Workshops;
• Courses – SENAR – Pulped Natural Processing and Rural Management;
• Technical presentations: agricultural practices, harvesting, coffee processing (wet milling and dry milling), natural and pulped natural systems, etc;
• Periodical presentations with coffee consultant: Ensei Uejo Neto;
• Presentations: Certification, UTZ Certified, others;
• Presentation: BM&F Bovespa Commodities and Futures Exchange;
• Participation of members and employess in agribusiness courses offered by PENSA/USP;
• Regular visits – national and international delegations;
• Participation in international trade fairs - APROCAM and members
• Road shows – presentation of APROCAM in the United States;
• Participation at FISPAL (International Fair of the Food Industry);
• Organization of work groups: GTI (Institutional Technical Group) and GTC (Technical and Commercial Group);
• Visit to CEPEC (Coffee Research Center Carlos Elói) – Heringer – Martins Soares;
• Periodical Board meetings and work groups – APROCAM;
• Participation of growers in several events such as Expocafé, Procafé Field Days, Agrishow; visits to coffee farms in the area and in other regions for constant learning;
• Coffee grading sessions with feedback to members - ministered by Ensei Uejo Nejo, a SCAA certified judge.

Please contact the association for further information regarding projects and ways to become a member.