The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by MAP IT FORWARD

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Arcadia Green Coffee, Colombian coffee exporters taking fresh green coffee from Colombia to the world, farm to roastery, direct. New office now open in the UK.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcadiagreencoffee/WhatsApp: https://wa.me/353877871523Episode DescriptionThis is part 3 of a new 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward hosted by Lee Safar. Our guests for this series are Rodolfo Peñalba, General Manager of COMSA in Honduras, his colleague Olvyn Hernandez, and Óscar Inocente, a lawyer working with four Peruvian cooperatives affected by the Benecke Coffee insolvency. Pedro Manga joins Lee as co-host and Spanish translator.This is our fourth series covering the Benecke case, and we're continuing the fight to get coffee producers paid.The coffee was produced, certified, exported and delivered. J.J. Darboven has told Map It Forward that it paid its 2025 invoices to Benecke. Yet millions of dollars remain outstanding to coffee producers in Honduras and Peru.So where did the money go?In this episode, Rodolfo explains COMSA's understanding of the transactions involving Benecke and J.J. Darboven, and the frustration of knowing that coffee was delivered while more than $3 million remains unpaid to the Honduran cooperative.He questions how such significant financial exposure could arise from a longstanding commercial relationship and why the cooperative must now depend on an insolvency process to recover money for coffee it supplied.Óscar shares information from the insolvency administrator's earlier reports, including approximately €11 million in reported assets and other amounts, encompassing cash, inventory and receivables. He raises questions about how much remains available, what expenses have been incurred, what other creditors are owed, and why the affected cooperatives have not received more detailed information.The discussion also explores what producers and cooperatives can do to protect themselves in future international coffee transactions.Óscar outlines how access to buyers' financial information and factoring services could help cooperatives evaluate commercial risk before exporting coffee.Rodolfo discusses potential changes to shipping documentation and payment arrangements, including retaining original bills of lading until payment is received, using letters of credit, and exploring the possibility of cooperatives establishing their own importing businesses in consuming markets.These are important questions for the entire coffee industry, not just those directly affected by the Benecke insolvency.If coffee producers meet their contractual obligations and deliver their product, what protections should exist to ensure they receive payment?And what needs to change so that the financial risks of international coffee trading are no longer disproportionately carried by producers?Connect with our guests:Rodolfo Peñalba and COMSA: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comsaofficial/‍ ‍https://www.instagram.com/comsa_oficial/‍ ‍https://www.comsa.hn/Olvyn Hernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olvyn-hernandez-5b9269256/Óscar Inocente: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oinocente/Peruvian Cooperatives Media Manager - Marcafab: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marcafabCatch up on our previous Benecke coverage:Series 1 | Peru: The experiences of affected Peruvian cooperatives: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-benecke-coffee-1656Series 2 | Honduras: COMSA's experience and the impact on Honduran producers: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-benecke-coffee-comsa-1661Series 3 | The Benecke Case Explained: Lee Safar reviews the situation, evidence and outstanding questions: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-lee-safar-solo-benecke-1666If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. ***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.comContact: [email protected]

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by CoffeeListings.com, by Map It Forward - the marketplace where the coffee world does business. Find or list coffee, equipment, services, jobs, businesses, wanted ads, and other opportunities across the global coffee industry. www.coffeelistings.comEpisode DescriptionThis is part 2 of a new 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar. Our guests for this series are Rodolfo Peñalba, General Manager of COMSA in Honduras, his colleague Olvyn Hernandez, and Óscar Inocente, a lawyer working with four Peruvian cooperatives affected by the Benecke Coffee insolvency. Pedro Manga joins Lee as co-host and Spanish translator.This is our fourth series covering the Benecke case, and we're continuing to explore the fight to get coffee producers paid.Millions of dollars remain outstanding. But who can still help recover the money owed to the affected cooperatives?In this episode, Lee and Pedro ask their guests what the coffee industry can do to support the producers in Peru and Honduras, and whether the attention generated by Map It Forward's previous coverage has helped move the situation forward.Rodolfo reflects on the breakdown of a 23-year commercial relationship with Benecke and the extraordinary financial risks that coffee producers carry when exporting to international buyers. He also acknowledges the support COMSA has received from other coffee businesses, including German buyers who continue to maintain responsible trading relationships.Óscar explains how public discussion of the case has helped affected Peruvian cooperative members better understand what happened, while also raising awareness of the vulnerability producers face when international buyers fail to pay.Beyond the outstanding payments, the cooperatives are dealing with legal costs, uncertainty, pressure from their members, and potentially reduced access to financing.The conversation also examines the role of public accountability, reputational consequences for businesses involved in coffee supply chains, and the responsibilities of those overseeing the insolvency proceedings.Óscar explains that the Peruvian cooperatives have requested further information from the insolvency administrator. If adequate information is not forthcoming, they are considering making a formal complaint to the Hamburg court to seek greater transparency about the proceedings.This episode raises an important question for the global coffee industry: when producers fulfill their contractual obligations but don't get paid, who is prepared to help them recover what they're owed?Connect with our guests:Rodolfo Peñalba and COMSA: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comsaofficial/‍ ‍https://www.instagram.com/comsa_oficial/‍ ‍https://www.comsa.hn/Olvyn Hernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olvyn-hernandez-5b9269256/Óscar Inocente: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oinocente/Peruvian Cooperatives Media Manager - Marcafab: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marcafabCatch up on our previous Benecke coverage:Series 1 | Peru: The experiences of affected Peruvian cooperatives: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-benecke-coffee-1656Series 2 | Honduras: COMSA's experience and the impact on Honduran producers: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-benecke-coffee-comsa-1661Series 3 | The Benecke Case Explained: Lee Safar reviews the situation, evidence and outstanding questions: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-lee-safar-solo-benecke-1666If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. ***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.comContact: [email protected]

Advertising SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Cropster, technology built by coffee people to help coffee businesses manage more of their workflow, from contracts and costs to inventory, roasting, quality control, fulfillment, and café intelligence. Learn more at: https://hubs.la/Q04w4bKG0Episode DescriptionThis is part 1 of a new 5-part series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward, hosted by Lee Safar. Our guests for this series are Rodolfo Peñalba, General Manager of COMSA in Honduras, his colleague Olvyn Hernandez, and Óscar Inocente, a lawyer working with four Peruvian cooperatives affected by the Benecke Coffee insolvency. Pedro Manga joins Lee as co-host and Spanish translator.This is our fourth series covering the Benecke case, and the focus is now firmly on the fight to get coffee producers paid.Two months after our previous conversations, there have been some significant developments.Óscar reports that two of the four Peruvian cooperatives have now received 100% of the money owed to them, while another has received 50% and a fourth approximately 25%. He explains how their legal representatives identified contractual provisions that helped secure those payments outside the ordinary insolvency distribution process.In Honduras, COMSA reports receiving approximately $172,000 after deductions for one container, leaving eleven containers still awaiting payment.The conversation raises questions about the contractual rights of coffee producers, payments reportedly made by J.J. Darboven to Benecke, the involvement of UniCredit, and the information available to affected creditors.We also discuss how the cooperatives are communicating with the insolvency administrator, their concerns about transparency, and unanswered questions surrounding the sale of Rehm & Co. to Sucafina.This episode offers an important update on the progress made, the money still outstanding, and the challenges facing cooperatives trying to recover payment for coffee they delivered.Connect with our guests:Rodolfo Peñalba and COMSA: https://www.linkedin.com/company/comsaofficial/‍ ‍https://www.instagram.com/comsa_oficial/‍ ‍https://www.comsa.hn/Olvyn Hernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olvyn-hernandez-5b9269256/Óscar Inocente: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oinocente/Peruvian Cooperatives Media Manager - Marcafab: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marcafabCatch up on our previous Benecke coverage:Series 1 | Peru: The experiences of affected Peruvian cooperatives: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-benecke-coffee-1656Series 2 | Honduras: COMSA's experience and the impact on Honduran producers: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-benecke-coffee-comsa-1661Series 3 | The Benecke Case Explained: Lee Safar reviews the situation, evidence and outstanding questions: https://www.mapitforward.coffee/podcasts/daily-coffee-pro-lee-safar-solo-benecke-1666If you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. ***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.comContact: [email protected]

Advertising SponsorWant to join our Map It Forward Monthly Community Discussion Group? Head to https://patreon.com/mapitforward to join the community by signing up for the "Roasted Coffee" tier for 20 USD per month. Find other like-minded people in the coffee industry. This community is open to all stakeholders in the coffee industryEpisode DescriptionThis is part 5 of a new 5-part solo series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward hosted by Lee Safar. In this final episode of the final solo series of 2026, Lee answers questions submitted by the Map It Forward community alongside some of the questions she's most frequently asked about the podcast, the coffee industry, and her personal journey.The conversation begins with a lighter question from Mia Feinstein about Lee's favourite coffees and roasters, including Stitch Coffee https://www.instagram.com/stitch.coffee/ in Sydney, Bunah Coffee https://www.instagram.com/bunahcoffee.co/ in Saudi Arabia, and Kurasu in Kyoto https://www.instagram.com/kurasu.kyoto/Bean Inspired Coffee Roasters https://www.instagram.com/beaninspiredcoffeeroasters/ then asks what makes a producer-to-importer-to-roaster relationship genuinely beneficial for producers. Lee explains why the people connecting producers and roasters are so important, highlighting the roles of transparency, traceability, responsible payment practices, and long-term commercial relationships.She shares examples of businesses and people she believes are building responsible coffee supply chains, including Arcadia Green Coffee https://www.instagram.com/arcadiagreencoffee/ , Angel Barrera from Belco https://www.instagram.com/koliafobiano/ , Arkena Coffee https://www.instagram.com/arkenacoffee/ , Honduran Coffee Alliance https://www.instagram.com/hondurancoffeealliance/ , and Semilla Coffee https://www.instagram.com/semillacoffee/ . Lee also recommends recent podcast conversations with Felipe Croce and David Bray from The Common Ground Collective and Bram de Hoek from Paso Paso.The discussion then turns to a question from Bill Harris about the cooperatives affected by the Benecke Coffee insolvency. Lee shares a message from Rodolfo Peñalba at COMSA about the importance of maintaining relationships with producer cooperatives and why small roasters should not be expected to carry the financial burden of larger companies' failures.Lee also answers several frequently asked questions: Why does she live in Dubai? How can someone become a guest on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast? Why is she so critical of the Specialty Coffee Association? And why does she believe coffee competitions distract the industry from more pressing commercial and structural problems?She explains her expectations for podcast guests, her concerns about the SCA's role as an industry organisation, and why she believes the industry should give greater priority to governance, fair pricing, and sustainable business models.The episode closes with Lee reflecting on what she hopes the future of coffee will look like: an industry where responsible businesses with responsible pricing models become the standard rather than the exception.Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leesafarMap It Forward: https://mapitforward.coffeeIf you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. ***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.comContact: [email protected]

Advertising SponsorWant to increase your B2B brand awareness in the coffee industry? Advertise on this Map It Forward podcast. Email [email protected] and start the conversation today.Episode DescriptionThis is part 4 of a new 5-part solo series on The Daily Coffee Pro Podcast by Map It Forward hosted by Lee Safar. In this final solo series of 2026, Lee examines how coffee businesses can prepare for what she believes will be an exceptionally unpredictable and challenging year across the global coffee industry.In this episode, Lee offers a practical guide for existing coffee business owners and entrepreneurs considering entering the industry in 2027.She begins with a difficult question: should every struggling coffee business continue operating? Lee discusses the reality of financially distressed or "zombie businesses" and why, for some exhausted owners, closing responsibly and with dignity may be a better option than taking on further financial and personal hardship.For those committed to continuing, Lee explains why responsible business practices and responsible pricing models need to become the foundation for navigating uncertainty.For aspiring coffee entrepreneurs, she challenges unrealistic profit expectations and recommends entering the industry with a thorough understanding of market volatility, operating costs, and at least 12 months of capital to cover operating expenses and the cost of goods sold.Lee then outlines the essential business fundamentals that owners should revisit before 2027, including defining their values, vision and mission, understanding financial statements, calculating cash runway, and finding practical ways to improve cash flow.She also discusses the importance of conducting due diligence on suppliers, understanding the financial health of B2B customers, spending within your means, and resisting the temptation to compete by copying other businesses.The episode provides four scenarios for businesses to prepare for: declining costs, stable costs, increases of approximately 10%, and increases of 20–30% or more.Finally, Lee emphasises why strong professional and personal support networks, alongside physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, will be essential for business owners navigating the challenges ahead.Connect with Lee Safar and Map It Forward:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leesafar/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leesafarMap It Forward: https://mapitforward.coffeeIf you found this episode valuable, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and follow along for the rest of this 5-part series. ***************************************About Map It Forward The Daily Coffee Pro is produced by Map It Forward, supporting coffee professionals globally across the supply chain.Website: https://mapitforward.coffeeMailing list: https://mapitforward.coffee/mailinglistPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforward‘The Coffee Report’: https://www.patreon.com/mapitforwardInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mapitforward.coffee/CoffeeListing: https://www.CoffeeListings.comContact: [email protected]