prodecoop
Owners Since 2005
In Nicaragua, PRODECOOP is a cooperative owned and governed by more than 2,300 family farmers, approximately 30% of which are women. A model producer-led cooperative, PRODECOOP is a leader in sustainability, organic production and gender equity initiatives in coffee. Founded in 1993, the co-founder and leader of PRODECOOP, Merling Preza, serves as Pachamama’s president of the board of directors.
NICARAGUA
PRODECOOP COOPERATIVE
Founded: 1993
Headquarters: Estelí, Nicaragua
Region: Estelí, Madriz, Nueva Segovia
Farmer Owners: 2,300 families
Women Owners: 30%
Harvest: December - March
Certifications: Organic, FLO ID 832
programas de prodecoop
Que Rico es Leer con Café
Cooperatives take a community focused approach to economic organization. With increased returns on their coffee, producers are able to lift the community and invest in programs for everyone. Prodecoop sponsors many educational resources for children of members including a scholarship program for students to attend university and implementation of schools.
“We think of the families that live in coffee”
In partnership with local universities and domestic NGO’s, Prodecoop works on water and sanitation initiatives, food security and nutrition education, and a literacy programs. It is one of Prodecoop’s goals to serve as an example in the coffee industry of how to improve the quality of life of smallholder coffee producers.
Gender equity
"This is empowerment. It makes a woman independent as she is able to provide for her family." Alexa Marin is the Gender Commission Coordinator at Prodecoop. She discusses her role at the cooperative to support and foster the success of gender equity initiatives, such as health clinics, educational workshops and finance programs for women.
"Its not about paying more, its about paying what its worth.
"Climate change is affecting us more. We once produced coffee in a much better environment, with stable rains, under the right conditions, and now we face challenges with coffee leaf rust, with uncertainty around rain, or with what we can or can’t use." Read more of the conversation between Merling Preza and SCA Sustainability Officer, Kim Elena Ionescu, at the Re:co Symposium.
NICARAGUA | PRODECOOP
2026 TRANSPARENCY DATA
PRICE PAID TO FARMERS (FOB): $4.30 /LB
NET PROFIT TO FARMERS: $0.22 /LB
U.S. MARKET RETAIL VALUE: $20.25 /LB
TOTAL VALUE-ADDED: 4.7x
FARMERS' SHARE OF RETAIL: 22%
USD TO FARMERS (NICARAGUA): $671,845
BOARD DIRECTOR: MERLING PREZA
BOARD VOTING POWER: 1 OF 5
OWNERSHIP SHARE OF PACHAMAMA: 20%
NICARAGUA
Beyond the Artwork
The Nicaraguan National Bird is the Barranquero "from the valley" or Guardabarranco "keeper of the valley". Merling Preza shared that the Barranquero is one who comes to sing in her garden and it is a bird that farmers interact with on a daily basis. The Guardabarranco is also known as a Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumomota Superciliosa).
Nicaragua
A Day in the life with an Agronomist
Cooperatives work together to produce better coffee and livlihoods for members. Take a look at an agronomist role in fostering coffee growing techniques.
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