

Buencafé, an industrial plant of the NATIONAL COFFEE FUND
Besides being a significant part of the FNC’s value strategy, Buencafé has been one of the world’s leading suppliers of soluble coffee since 1973. Delivering positive social impact has been an important part of our work for more than 40 years.
Buencafé
policy
At Buencafé Liofilizado de Colombia, we work with optimism to create sustainable value for Colombian coffee growers. We positively impact our relationships with the environment, the coffee growers union, the community and other stakeholders. We meet our customers’ needs through safe, authentic, and high-quality products, protected throughout the supply chain. We are committed to social and environmental responsibility, the continuous improvement of processes, and our workers’ health. We comply with applicable laws and regulations.
ADDING VALUE
TO YOUR BRAND
EXPERTISE
- Prototyping
- Product development
- Packaging innovation
- Technical support
- Quality control
- Environmental management
- Logistical support
REAL PARTNERSHIP
- 100% Colombian mild washed arabica
- Cutting-edge project and product development at origin
- Colombian coffee heritage – a real story to support your brand
HIGH-QUALITY
END PRODUCTS
- 100% Colombian mild washed arabica
- Freeze-drying process
- High production capacity and flexibility
- State-of-the-art soluble coffee technology
- A resolute focus on environmental sustainability
OUR PROCESS
Learn more about how Buencafé turns raw material into freeze-dried soluble coffee by watching this video.
AWARDS
AND TESTIMONIALS


The IQTI’s Superior Taste award recognizes our rich Colombian coffee flavor


Read this consumer review of one of our products!
MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS










LEARN ABOUT
OUR HISTORY
- 19th Century1815
Our
History
Soluble coffee changed the way that we drink coffee. As far back as the 19th century, people have sought to preserve the real aroma and flavor of coffee while adapting it for easy consumption. In the 1960s, this was achieved with the invention of freeze-drying. Today, Buencafé offers 100% Colombian freeze-dried coffee – the best soluble coffee on the market.
- 19th Century1835
First
Crops
In Santander, in north-central Colombia, the first coffee crops are planted. The first year of production yields about 60kg of 100% Colombian coffee.
- 20th Century1901
First soluble
coffee
Satori Kato, a Japanese-American chemist invents the first soluble coffee, and presents it at the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York.
- 20th Century1914
Instant
coffee
During the First World War, instant coffee is packed in envelopes for US soldiers.
- 20th Century1927
The FNC
is born
The Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) is created and is responsible for co-ordinating the country’s coffee policy. Through a contract with the Colombian government, the Federation begins regulating the national coffee market.
- 20th Century1932
1932 - 1939
Large - scale
The two most important coffee companies in the world at the time create a large-scale development of the soluble coffee industry.
- 20th Century1939
1939 - 1945
Consumption growth
During the Second World War, instant coffee consumption increases worldwide thanks to a high demand for instant coffee from various armed forces. The market increases from 22 million kilograms a year before the war to more than 560 million kilograms.
- 20th Century1960
Freeze dried coffe
is born
The freeze-drying method is invented. This sophisticated new technology dramatically improves flavor and aroma of soluble coffee.
- 20th Century1973
The Freeze-dry factory
is established
The Colombian freeze-drying factory (today Buencafé) is established in the municipality of Chinchiná, Caldas.
- 20th Century1982
Winner
Coffee
Freeze-dried Colombian coffee from the factory (today Buencafé) receives the highest award at the Leipzig Fair in Germany, the most prestigious convention of its kind. At this point, approximately 150,000 pounds of freeze-dried coffee are exported every year.
- 20th Century1983
First
expansion to 4,000 t/year
The Colombian freeze-drying factory (today Buencafé) is expanded for the first time, increasing the annual capacity from 1,800 to 4,000 tons.
- 20th Century1997
Second
expansion to 7,500 t/year
Second factory expansion. New markets open up in Europe and Asia. The second factory expansion increases production from 4,000 to 7,500 tons per annum.
- 21st Century2000
Buendía makes
it to England
Buendía Coffee is sold for the first time in 225 major supermarkets across the United Kingdom.
- 21st Century2001
Colombian
Quality Award
The freeze-drying factory (today Buencafé) receives the Colombian Quality Award. Buendía coffee arrives in the United States and Mexico. For the first time, the product is commercialized in Colombia.
- 21st Century2003
Ibero-American
Quality Award
The freeze-drying factory (today Buencafé) receives the Ibero-American Quality Award in Bolivia.
- 21st Century2008
Third
expansion to 11,500 t/year
The third plant expansion increases production capacity from 7,500 to 11,500 t/year, along with a management model focused on customers and value addition. The factory changes its name to Buencafé Liofilizado de Colombia.
- Siglo XXI2009
THE TPM CULTURE
IS BORN
The TPM culture has made it possible to strengthen participatory work and enhance workers’ creativity, with high-impact results for the company, specially on teamwork and comprehensive analysis of opportunities for improvement.
- Siglo XXI2019
Higher purpose
and capacity increased to 13,500 t/year
Seeking to leave a positive mark on the world, we identified Buencafé’s corporate purpose: To live with optimism as a transformative force to create sustainable value in the world of coffee, becoming the heart of the company’s strategy and its Plan 20/30.
To meet the growing market demand, increasingly premium product-oriented, Buencafé offers a unique technology, Sensoria by Buencafé, and reaches a production capacity of 13,500 t/year.
- 21st Century2021
TRANSFORMATION
TO BEING AGILE
Buencafé is recognized as a world-class company that continues offering the best coffee to its customers and provides a reliable income source to Colombian coffee growers. The company enters the era of digital transformation and agile culture in the face of global challenges and the pandemic situation.