The primary requirements for a license are that the applicant represents a legal association, and that the organization can clearly define the quality and quantity of the coffee it wants to export. The judge ended up ruling in favor of Honduras, but the publicity surrounding the hearing damaged the reputation of Honduran coffee. All Honduran coffee suffers this penalty, except the very few cooperatives that export directly. In Honduras, according to Celeo, each region has its own distinct coffee, of excellent quality. Unfortunately the coffee of each region is mixed or blended by exporters, in an attempt to improve quality.
Large companies use Honduran coffees to improve blends.
Celeo said at this time they are not, but that they have been working on it. He feels that there is an opportunity to establish a mark or brand for a specific Honduran coffee. One of the key problems Celeo identified is the relatively few number of beneficios. Most are owned by intermediaries or large producers. An association of private producers that is based upon payment for services is more efficient.