Tokyo-based company Woodberry Coffee Roasters is on a quest to enhance its love affair with Salvadoran coffee. Having imported 7.5 tons of the aromatic Salvadoran coffee between 2022 and 2023, the company now aims to either maintain or increase its annual purchase average.
Representatives from Woodberry Coffee Roasters recently visited El Salvador to engage with local producers and explore new marketing opportunities for the coveted coffee beans. For the third consecutive year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Economic Counselor in Japan and the Salvadoran Coffee Institute (ISC), provided support and guidance to the Japanese delegation.
During their visit, the Japanese representatives delved into the processes, aromas, and flavors of high-quality coffee specialties. They engaged in meetings with coffee farmers from various coffee-producing regions. This time, the delegation toured and conducted tastings at different coffee estates in Chalatenango, Usulután, Morazán, Ahuachapán, Sonsonate, and La Libertad.
Additionally, they participated in a cupping session at the ISC Laboratory, where they were presented with samples of quality coffee. The delegation also met with Carolina Padilla, the president of the ISC, who provided detailed information about Salvadoran coffee.
«We came to have a direct exchange with the producers and learn more. We aim to offer customers not only the coffee but also share the history and the entire process involved in this cultivation. That’s what we want to convey,» expressed Yuki Sato, Woodberry’s purchasing manager, and Teppei Ikawa, an expert barista from the company.
The company’s interest is driven by the tremendous popularity of Salvadoran coffee among its clientele, thanks to its unique qualities. In 2022 and 2023, they purchased 7.5 tons of the aromatic coffee. This time, their goal is to either maintain or increase the annual purchase average.
«The coffee from El Salvador is very famous in our store. We dare say that half of the customers who visit us come for the coffee from this country. They line up for this drink and enjoy its flavor,» they added.
As of now, Woodberry Coffee Roasters operates seven establishments, primarily in the city of Tokyo.
In tandem with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), the ISC also conducted a training session alongside the Directorate General of Rural Development (DGDR) titled «Integrated Management of Coffee Pests and Diseases.» This training aimed to support coffee farmers by providing specialized knowledge on disease management, with a focus on rust and coffee borer. Key topics such as biology, infectious cycles, and epidemiology of various diseases were addressed.