Alliance for Coffee Excellence, the non-profit organisation which operates the Cup of Excellence, has been forced to cancel this year’s event in Nicaragua.
ACE said sanctions, safety concerns and sporadic violence in the country since April 2018 has made it impossible for the Cup of Excellence to operate effectively.
“Our hearts go out to the entire country, but I must see to the safety of our staff, consulting contractors and the international jury. Recent reports have accused the government of detaining NGO aid workers and many journalists. ACE made every attempt to hold a competition with a jury made of its membership in Portland, Oregon but a lack of funding made this impossible,” said ACE Executive Director, Darrin Daniel (shown here).
In 2018 ACE decided to have the winning lots shipped to the US to get ahead of export issues due to numerous roadblocks and protests. ACE hopes to work towards restoring the programme in 2020.
