Exhibiting at Melbourne International COFFEE EXPO (MICE) 2025

Old Quarter Coffee Merchants, based in Ballina, New South Wales, has redefined ethical sourcing in the Australian specialty coffee industry through its direct relationships with Southeast Asian coffee farmers. Since its founding, the company has championed a vertically integrated approach—working directly with growers, managing in-country sourcing operations, and roasting in-house—to deliver exceptional, sustainable coffee to consumers and wholesale clients across Australia.

Core Business and Offerings

Old Quarter operates as a specialty coffee roaster, café operator, and wholesale supplier, with a focus on traceable, ethically sourced single-origin coffees and blends. Their flagship café in Ballina serves as both a retail outlet and a brand experience hub, while their wholesale partnerships and e-commerce platform extend their reach nationally.

Product Lineup

Old Quarter’s offerings reflect a deep focus on Southeast Asian origins and sustainability:

• Single Origin Coffees:

  • Vietnam – K’HO – Sourced from the K’Ho minority ethnic group in the Central Highlands, featuring notes of toffee, stone fruit, and spice.
  • Sumatra Gayo – Bies – Wet-hulled process, showcasing earthy body and rich cacao.
  • Sumatra Hutan – Sourced from forest-edge communities, with dark fruit and cedar characteristics.

• Blends:

  • Village Blend – Balanced and versatile for everyday use, designed for milk-based coffees.
  • First Light Blend – Bright and juicy, with higher acidity suited to black coffee.
  • Cloud Nine Blend – Smooth and mellow, curated for easy drinking.

• Brewing Equipment:

  • AeroPress, V60 Drippers, Coffee Filters – Manual brewing essentials curated for quality and simplicity.

• Merchandise:

  • Branded apparel, coffee mugs, and accessories promoting the Old Quarter identity.

These offerings are crafted with traceability and storytelling in mind, with each coffee release accompanied by origin details, farmer information, and processing data.

Specialisation and USP

Old Quarter’s core strength lies in its deep-rooted, direct trade partnerships with producers in Vietnam, Indonesia, and the broader Southeast Asian region. The team travels regularly to origin, working hands-on with farmers and cooperatives to ensure:

• Ethical pricing models that exceed Fair Trade minimums
• Investment in processing infrastructure and training
• Environmental stewardship, including agroforestry and wildlife-friendly farming

Their Southeast Asia focus is highly unique within the Australian market, helping to spotlight underrepresented origins while maintaining high cup quality standards.

Target Market

Old Quarter targets:

• Conscious consumers who value transparency, sustainability, and origin diversity
• Cafés and restaurants looking for consistent quality and origin-based storytelling
• Wholesale partners aligned with ethical sourcing and environmental values
• Home brewers seeking vibrant single origins and reliable blends

Capabilities

Old Quarter’s operational model enables end-to-end control over sourcing and roasting:

• Roasting Facility – Small-batch roastery ensuring consistency and flavor development
• Café Operations – A retail café in Ballina showcasing products and providing direct consumer feedback
• Wholesale Services – Equipment support, barista training, custom blend development
• Online Retail – National distribution via e-commerce, offering subscriptions and one-time purchases

Certifications and Compliance

While not relying on mainstream certifications like Fair Trade or Organic, Old Quarter enforces a self-managed ethical sourcing standard backed by:

• Transparent pricing and producer relationships
• Long-term supplier development programs
• Sustainable packaging and carbon-aware operations

They publish stories and impact highlights to reinforce transparency, focusing on impact over certification.

Financial and Operational Insights

As a private, independently owned business, financial data is not publicly disclosed. However, the brand’s:

• Expanding retail and wholesale presence
• Consistently rotating menu of traceable lots
• National delivery infrastructure

...suggest a healthy operational scale with strong customer retention. Their premium positioning and sustainability focus allow for margin stability in a competitive market.

Shipment and Export Data

Old Quarter Coffee Merchants primarily serves the Australian market, with a focus on regional wholesale and national online sales. Public trade records show no major international export activity, but their structure allows for international scale should strategic expansion arise.

Customer Testimonials

“We love that Old Quarter focuses on Southeast Asian coffees—such an overlooked origin. The K’HO is one of our customer favorites.”
— Wholesale Café Partner, NSW

“The First Light Blend is perfect for my morning V60. Clean, vibrant, and delicious.”
— Home Brewer, Brisbane

“Knowing where our coffee comes from makes a huge difference. You can taste the care and connection in every cup.”
— Retail Customer, Ballina

Major Achievements

• Among the first specialty roasters in Australia to focus exclusively on Southeast Asian origins
• Built direct, on-the-ground relationships with smallholder farmers in Vietnam and Sumatra
• Successfully launched a traceable and impact-driven product model supported by content and storytelling
• Featured in regional publications and recognized for sustainable business leadership in the Northern Rivers region
• Operates a flagship café that doubles as a showcase and education space for ethical coffee sourcing

Old Quarter Coffee Merchants is setting a new standard for how coffee can support communities, ecosystems, and quality of life at origin. Through deep partnerships, environmental awareness, and unwavering product quality, the company continues to build a sustainable and equitable future for Southeast Asian coffee in the Australian market.