Dali, Yunnan, China – May 2024：

The global specialty coffee community is taking note of Yunnan following a landmark achievement this spring. For the first time, a fully washed lot from a smallholder cooperative in Dali placed in the top tier of an international online auction, fetching a record price for the region and signaling a definitive shift from commodity to specialty.

The auction, held in April, saw intense bidding for the Dali lot, which was praised by international cuppers for its complex notes of honey, bergamot, and black tea, scoring 87 points. This success is attributed to multi-year investments in processing infrastructure and farmer training programs focused on selective picking and precise fermentation control. This event is not an isolated incident but a benchmark for the region's potential. It provides tangible proof to both local farmers and international buyers that Yunnan can compete on the world stage for quality, not just volume. As a key partner in the region, we are proud to have supported this growth and are now securing similar high-scoring lots for forward-thinking roasters.