Ecuador's First Farmer's Collection Auction Names Imbabura Geisha Top Lot
Ecuador just entered the big leagues of specialty coffee auctions, and the debut couldn’t have been more dramatic. A single Geisha lot from Imbabura province—the northernmost coffee-growing region in the country—scored 90.13 points to claim first place at the inaugural Ecuador Farmer’s Collection Auction.
The winning coffee belongs to Andrés Yépez, who cultivates specialty varieties at Hostería Cananvalle, a seven-hectare farm just ten minutes outside Ibarra. His Geisha didn’t just win; it was the only lot from Imbabura selected for the competition, making the victory even more striking.
A New Platform for Ecuadorian Specialty
The Ecuador Farmer’s Collection is a collaboration between Qima Coffee—the London-based specialty sourcer with operations across Yemen, Colombia, and Ecuador—and the Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE), the organisation behind the Cup of Excellence programme. The partnership launched in January 2026, with the international auction scheduled for March 26.
The jurying panel was described as “one of the broadest gatherings for an inaugural auction,” reflecting serious intent from organisers to put Ecuador on the specialty map alongside established origins.
The Numbers
Thirty-six lots made the final selection:
- Loja: 26 lots (Ecuador’s traditional specialty stronghold)
- Pichincha: 5 lots
- Zamora Chinchipe: 4 lots
- Imbabura: 1 lot (the winner)
The variety breakdown tells a story of Ecuador’s distinctive coffee genetics. Sidra Bourbon led with 10 lots, followed by Típica Mejorado with 9 lots, and Geisha with 6 lots. These aren’t the varieties you’ll find dominating most origins—Sidra in particular has become a darling of specialty producers for its complex flavour profile and cup scores that consistently punch above its weight.
Processing methods ranged from traditional washed (18 lots) to natural (9 lots), with the remainder showcasing experimental approaches: carbonic maceration, honey processing, and anaerobic fermentation.
Why Ecuador Matters
Ecuador has long been specialty coffee’s sleeping giant. The country has significant coffee genetic diversity, including indigenous varieties like Típica Mejorado and the now-celebrated Sidra. Elevation ranges from 1,200 to 2,200 metres across growing regions, with microclimates that should—theoretically—produce complex, distinctive cups.
The problem has been infrastructure. Limited investment in post-harvest processing meant that even exceptional cherries often became merely good coffee by the time they reached buyers. Qima’s approach addresses this directly: the company operates eight centralised processing centres across Ecuador, and reports that 91% of their coffees now score 86 points or above.
The March 26 Auction
When the auction opens later this month, roasters worldwide will have their first opportunity to bid on these lots. For Andrés Yépez and his 90.13-point Geisha, the international attention arrives at an opportune moment—Cananvalle combines coffee cultivation with agritourism, offering visitors the complete journey from cherry to cup.
For Ecuador as an origin, this inaugural auction represents something larger: proof that the country can compete at the highest levels of specialty coffee, and a new pathway for smallholder farmers to access premium prices for exceptional quality.