Coffee industry of Peru

From The Coffee Wiki

Coffee Industry of Peru South America Location of Peru
Country:	Peru
Common species:	Arabica
Annual production (2006):	216,044,700 kilograms
Signature varieties:	Chanchamayo

The coffee industry of Peru is one of that country's most important agriculture sectors, accounting for twelve percent of all agricultural exports in 2004^[1]. Peru is also one of the largest producers of coffee in the world, with over 216 million kilograms exported in 2006. Additionally, Peru is noted for being one of the major producers of organic and fair trade coffee beans in world. These exports make Peru the ninth largest producer of coffee in the world, yet only the third largest exporter of coffee in South America^[2].

[edit] Coffee farms

Arabica coffee is grown on approximately 200,000 farms in Peru. Most of these farms are small, averaging less than two hectares (five acres) in size. Most coffee is then processed through cooperatives, and distributed through several intermediaries before being sold for export^[3].

Coffee cultivation did not become common until the mid-twentieth century. In 1922, William Ukers noted in his book All About Coffee the lack of any substantial coffee industry, despite the fact that Peru is "possessed of natural coffee land and climate" ^[4]. In the 1990s, coffee rapidly grew as an important crop as it was encouraged as a replacement for coca farming by several non-governmental agencies. More recently, however, prices in the coffee market have fallen, leading to a return of coffee farms to coca production. It is estimated that a coca crop can bring in ten times as much money as much money as a coffee crop.

Coffee growing in Peru is not limited to a particular region, but is common from the north to the south of the country, including the Machu Pichu region. Coffee grown in the central region of Chanchamayo is often the mosted noted variety of coffee in Peru^[5].

[edit] See also

• List of coffee producing countries

[edit] References