Luis "Lucho" Arocha grew up in Guatemala, where coffee was never too far away. Long before working in the industry, he spent time around coffee farms casually, enjoying the connection between agriculture, people, and place. Over time, that familiarity turned into a deeper curiosity for coffee, farming, and the business behind agricultural products.
In 2013, Lucho studied the Master's in Coffee Economics and Science, a program by Illycaffé, the University of Udine, and the University of Trieste. Living in Italy and experiencing Italian coffee culture firsthand helped him see coffee from a broader perspective: not only as a product, but as a global industry built around quality, trade, and relationships.
After completing the program, he connected with Café Imports and joined the sourcing team in 2014, starting with origin travel and growing into his current role as a green coffee buyer. His work has also included managing and developing Oxcart Coffee, Café Imports' exporting company in Costa Rica.
Today, Lucho focuses on sourcing exceptional coffees, building strong relationships with producers and exporters, and supporting trading models that are transparent and sustainable.
Outside of work and coffee, Lucho enjoys spending time with his family and staying connected to Guatemala's agriculture, tourism, and natural medicine communities.