ALISO VIEJO, CALIFORNIA (July 14, 2026) The Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), a U.S.-based non-profit organization dedicated to improving coffee quality and the livelihoods of coffee producers, has reached an agreement with the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association (BSCA) designating BSCA as the exclusive distributor of CQI's educational offerings in Brazil. This collaboration aims to make CQI's globally recognized coffee education more accessible to Brazilian coffee producers, advancing CQI’s mission and BSCA’s goal of enhancing the quality and value of Brazilian specialty coffee. The agreement was signed in Brussels at World of Coffee Europe.
“CQI and BSCA have partnered since 2014 to deliver coffee education in Brazil, but today’s agreement deepens our longstanding commitment to BSCA in recognition of its track record of leadership on coffee quality in Brazil” said Michael Sheridan, CEO of CQI. “We recognize that the cost of CQI courses has limited access to coffee education in Brazil, and we will work with BSCA to access local funds and reduce costs for students.”
Under this exclusive partnership, BSCA will coordinate all CQI educational activities in Brazil, ensuring that classes are taught at the same high level by authorized CQI Educators. The agreement also stipulates that BSCA will work to secure public and private funds to effectively lower student prices.
“This partnership represents a significant step towards further strengthening the Brazilian coffee sector,” offered BSCA Executive Director Vinicius Estrela. “The commitment of these organizations to promoting participation and increasing access will lead to increased coffee quality and ultimately improve the livelihoods of its producers through this enhanced education and training.”
CQI will support BSCA by providing access to its comprehensive catalog of educational offerings, ongoing training for educators, and partnership in securing funding. Both organizations are committed to promoting and maintaining high standards of coffee quality and education in Brazil.
About Coffee Quality Institute
CQI is a non-profit that works globally to improve the quality of coffee and the lives of the people who produce it. For thirty years, CQI has trained people who produce and process coffee in more than thirty coffee-growing countries around the world.
About the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association
The Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association has united producers, exporters, roasters, coffee shops, and various actors in the coffee supply chain through three pillars: quality, traceability, and sustainability, fostering practices that transform each cup into a unique experience.
