Honduran Coffee Facts and Tidbits
In the early days
Hondurans have been growing coffee since the colonial period — decades before achieving independence from Spain in 1821. Colonial records show that by the year 1804, a census by then Governor don Ramon de Anguiano declared that coffee was already being cultivated in Honduras.
"Coffees grown in Moka (now Mauritius) and Java (now Indonesia) were considered the best in the world in the 1800's. Honduran coffee is of such quality as the one from Moka!"
For the record...
The first record of coffee in Honduras appeared in the Guatemalan Gazette published on 12 September 1799, showing an importation of coffee from Havana, Cuba.
"3 barrels of coffee from Havana, Cuba onboard the Queen Luisa entering Honduras in the Port of Trujillo"
This could be the seed origin of modern Honduran coffee cultivation.
Dollars & Beans
Honduras is the 3rd largest grower of coffee in the world, behind Brazil and Vietnam. Coffee is extremely important to the Honduran economy, representing around 10% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and benefiting approximately 120,000 families.
During the harvest season, the coffee industry employs 1 million people — meaning that about 20% of the country's population depends on coffee for their livelihood.
Aiming for a quality brew
Honduran farmers have been working very hard to improve the quality of their coffee. This strategy allows them to obtain higher market prices and even access specialty coffee markets and auctions; reducing the volatile effects of commodity coffee world prices.
In recent years quality coffees from Honduras have broken price records at auctions:
How is coffee grown in Honduras?
Diversity is the name of the game. There are grand estates with more than 100 years of production history, and at the same time coffee producer co-ops utilizing the latest equipment and technology. From professional agronomists to self-taught small-scale farmers, everyone is bringing their own skills, ideas, and creativity to the table. Traditions, innovation, and modern technology live side by side on Honduran coffee farms.
Denomination of Origin Marcala
Since 2005, Honduran coffee grown in the Marcala region, in the Department of La Paz, has been recognized as Central America's first "designation of origin" registry for a food item. This is a very significant milestone that allows coffee farmers in Marcala the opportunity to market their specialty coffee with the DO Seal. Coffee from the Marcala region features a special flavor that is truly unique.
Honduras Coffee at a Glance
#3
Largest coffee producer in the world
10%
Of Honduras GDP comes from coffee
1M
People employed during harvest season