Big Dog Coffee Roasters

Specialty coffee roasters with locations in South Wales. It's our unified mission to provide better coffee. Our coffees are sourced fairly, direct and roasted to exemplify the flavour characteristics. Defining direct trade comes with a myriad of complexities, all of which influence the fluidity and transparency within the supply chain. As for coffee specifically, the complexity of green purchasing increases as buyers aim to navigate from the comfort of a large importer. That being said, high risk means high reward. So, what are the rewards? A fair, transparent, mutually beneficial relationship with coffee producers. Operating a direct purchasing model has enabled us to focus on price, traceability, contracts and fundamentally – deeper relationships. I wonder how many of you take a sip of your coffee in the morning knowing the coffee producer by first name basis, the country of origin and the team responsible for roasting to a palatable degree. The coffee ‘C’ market sets the benchmark for coffee producing nations but provides zero guarantee that producers receive an income. Producers are at the mercy of market volatility and price fluctuations. Fairtrade provides producers with a ‘safety net’, paying a minimum of $1.80/lb for coffee. Our system aims move beyond the volatility of the C market and into a direct trade approach for purchasing green coffee. A price is agreed directly with the producer whilst considering the ongoing requirements of the operation and supporting future investment plans. If we break down the financials, the C market currently sits at 2.43/lb, Big Dog procures Sao Lucas at 137% higher than current C market value. A picture doesn’t always need to paint a thousand words if it’s showcasing a level of authenticity our current and future customers understand. Direct trade relationships thrive on communication, empathy and a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by respective stakeholders within the supply chain.