Fabricio & Marie Paredes

Export Coordinators and Processing Managers

Since meeting Marie and Fabricio during the summer of 2017, they have played a vital role in our supply chain. As part owners and full time operators of the historic processing facility in Piñas, Ecuador, Marie and Fabricio process, grade, package, and ship all of our coffees.

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  • At the processing facility, Fabricio operates three key machines that ensure all of our coffees are of the highest quality. The first machine separates any debris from the coffee in parchment before it is sent to the second machine, the peeler. The peeler removes the parchment or coffee cherry from the green coffee bean. The third and final machine sorts the coffee into three groups based on size. The larger beans are considered the highest quality. The first and second grades are put into 100lb bags, labeled and prepared for export. The lowest grade beans are used in Ecuador!

  • While the processing is being completed, Marie works with our freight forwarders and customs brokers in Ecuador and The States to complete all necessary paperwork. She has incredible organizational skills and a great understanding of Ecuadorian accounting requirements, which help facilitate exports. 

    Once all documents are in order and all coffees have been properly labeled and sealed, a container from the port of Guayaquil comes to the processing facility where we load all of the bags. From there, the container returns to the port of Guayaquil where it will embark on a journey over 5,000 miles away - Macon, Georgia!

  • Over the years, we have formed not only a great working relationship with Marie and Fabricio, but a great friendship as well. From exploring the beautiful city of Guayaquil to meeting Marie’s father, who started the processing facility over 80 years ago, we have created memories that will be with us for a lifetime. We are grateful to have them as part of the Z Beans family, and we look forward to many more successful imports in the years ahead!

Fabricio and Marie Paredes represent the heart and soul of Z Beans Coffee’s mission in Ecuador. As a family deeply rooted in coffee farming traditions, they have dedicated their lives to cultivating exceptional coffee while nurturing their community and land. Their farm practices emphasize natural methods, biodiversity preservation, and sustainable land stewardship. Learn how family farms around the world are essential to sustainable agriculture and food security.

Through direct trade relationships, Z Beans Coffee ensures that families like the Paredes are recognized and rewarded for their hard work. Direct trade not only allows us to maintain transparency but also creates strong partnerships that prioritize farmers' needs. Fabricio and Marie’s commitment to excellence is reflected in every bean, supporting the global movement toward ethically sourced coffee and responsible consumption.

The Paredes family’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and pride. Their high-elevation farm in Ecuador provides ideal conditions for producing vibrant, flavorful coffee cherished by enthusiasts worldwide. By choosing Z Beans Coffee, customers directly contribute to the success of farming families and the preservation of Ecuador’s rich coffee heritage. Explore how Ecuador’s coffee farmers are making a global impact through quality, sustainability, and innovation.