Why is the Peru coffee industry losing farmers?
Peru's coffee industry is under severe strain. Persistently low coffee prices and slow organic certification have pushed growers to leave their farms for coca plantations, where daily pay reaches 70 to 120 Peruvian nuevos soles, about 21 to 36 US dollars. The National Coffee Federation reports farmers flowing into drug-trafficking areas since December.
Peru and the United States spent years funding alternative crop programs built mainly around coffee and cacao, yet cocaine production still hit a 25-year high. A White House report last November put potential cocaine output up 20 percent in 2017 to 491 tons, with coca area rising 14 percent to 49,900 hectares, deepening poverty and illegal cultivation.
In recent years, the Peruvian coffee industry has been facing severe challenges. Due to persistently low coffee prices and the slow process of organic bean certification, more and more coffee growers are choosing to abandon their farms and instead work in coca plantations to earn higher incomes. According to the National Coffee Federation, since December of last year, farmers have been flooding into drug-trafficking areas to engage in coca cultivation, where daily earnings can reach 70 to 120 Peruvian nuevos soles (about 21 to 36 US dollars). This trend not only exacerbates poverty and unemployment but also leads to an expansion of illegal crop cultivation. Although Peru and the United States spent years promoting alternative crop programs, cocaine production has still hit a 25-year high. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of the varieties and flavors of Peruvian coffee, its growing environment, and explore the industry's difficulties.
For most Chinese consumers, coffee is not considered a cheap beverage, but in the eyes of many coffee farmers overseas, making a living by growing coffee is far from easy.
Several coffee industry associations in Peru point out that due to persistently low coffee prices and the slow progress of organic bean certification, local growers are gradually abandoning their farms and turning to work in plantations growing coca—the main raw material for cocaine.
The National Coffee Federation (JNC) revealed that starting from December last year, farmers have been continuously flocking to drug-trafficking areas to work in coca plantations because the income there is higher, earning 70 to 120 Peruvian nuevos soles per day (about 21 to 36 US dollars).
JNC President Tomas Cordova said: "Coffee... exports have really fallen into trouble, we lack government support and there is no clear action to solve the problem," "This has led to increased poverty, unemployment, and illegal crops."
Peru and the United States spent years investing in programs to help coca growers switch to alternative crops, mainly coffee and cacao. However, according to a White House report last November, Peru's potential cocaine production increased by 20% in 2017, reaching 491 tons, setting a 25-year record high.
A report pointed out that in 2017, the area under coca cultivation increased by 14% to 49,900 hectares, due to rising coca leaf prices and a decrease in the area destroyed by authorities.
For coffee enthusiasts, it is still necessary to understand the varieties and flavors of Peruvian coffee. Peruvian coffee is known for its organic cultivation, with main varieties including Typica, Bourbon, Caturra, etc. Its flavor often features nutty, chocolate, and citrus notes, with a smooth and balanced mouthfeel. Front Street Coffee also notes that Peruvian coffee is mostly grown in high-altitude areas on the eastern slopes of the Andes, where misty clouds and large temperature differences between day and night provide ideal conditions for the slow ripening of coffee cherries. However, if the current industry difficulties persist, the supply and quality of Peruvian coffee may be affected in the future.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
