FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Missoula MT. (July 11, 2006) In a hectic auction that lasted over 7 1/2 hours and saw record bidding, coffee roasters from around the world made clear their support for Guatemala’s return to the Cup of Excellence program. Anacafé and The Alliance for Coffee Excellence, Inc. joined together for the first time since 2002 to offer their exemplary coffee through the Cup of Excellence competition and auction program.

Award Winning Cup of Excellence® farmers rattling noise makers and blowing whistles watched at Anacafe’s headquarters in Guatemala City as the per pound average price for all of the coffees topped $6.58/lb., much higher than the average prices from 2005 and almost breaking the record for any Cup of Excellence auction. All of the 25 coffees sold for over $5.00 per pound, actually breaking the Cup of Excellence auction record. “ In 27 auctions, I have never seen the amount of bidding that occurred simultaneously from bidders around the world located in very different time zones,” explained a surprised Susie Spindler, Executive Director of the Alliance for Coffee Excellence, Inc., owner of the Cup of Excellence program.

The auction rewarded large farms, small farms and even cooperatives as prices were based on quality. According to Fidel Funez, president of CEIDEPAZ, “We are very happy because the joint efforts we have made as the Center of Studies and Investment for the Development and Peace, CEIDEPAZ (in Spanish), with the poor communities of Baja Verapaz, has now given results in less than one year of hard work. This event shows us that if all the organizations working together for the development in benefit of the Mayan communities we can be competitive and sustainable.”

“We did not expected these high prices, we understand these prices are breaking records and it is also breaking records regarding participation and competition of communities of small coffee growers and farms with greater entrepreneurial experiences. It means that they are being inserted in the world of commerce that is being open worldwide with the Free Trade of Commerce.” Mr. Funez continued.

The clamor turned deafening early on in as the top price broke $25.00lb. Stumptown Coffee Roasters of Portland along with a group of roasters made up of Kaffa of Oslo, Norway, Terroir Coffee of Boston, Sweet Maria’s in Oakland, Maruyama Coffee of Japan, and 49th Parallel Roasters of British Columbia, Canada paid a huge $25.20/lb. for the first place coffee from El Injerto. El Injerto was a winning farmer in the last Cup of Excellence competition that occurred in 2002. “I would like to congratulate Anacafé and all the personnel that made possible this type of events. This allows us to improve the position of Guatemalan Coffees and also to find better niche markets, and better prices. If we do not receive better prices, it will be difficult to produce better quality,” said Arturo Aguirre, Finca El Injerto I.

The Cup of Excellence is devoted to the discovery and appreciation of exemplary coffee. This is the 27th program for the program and the fourth Central American program for 2006. To find out more information, become a member or locate winning coffees or successful bidders log on to www.cupofexcellence.org.