Coffee production in Panama

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Coffee production in Panama was occurring in the Boquete Valley by the early 20th century, [1] although coffee was growing wild all over the Pacific coast region of Panama by this time, when production did not match domestic consumption. [1] The International Coffee Organization (ICO) has grouped mild arabica as the variety of coffee that is grown in Panama. [2] The best quality of coffee in Panama is grown in Boquete. [3] In the Coffee Review of 2008, two Panamanian coffees have received higher rating and fetched record prices than the coffee from Costa Rica. [4] This is mainly due to the unprecedented success of the Geisha varietal. This varietal originated from and arrived via Tanzania and Costa Rica in the 1960s in Panama. But only in 2004, its outstanding taste profile was recognized. In 2019 one pound of Panama Geisha beans fetched $1,029 in an auction. [5]

Contents

Plantations

Coffee Plantation in Boquete Coffee Plants (Boquete).jpg
Coffee Plantation in Boquete

The coffee varieties grown are 82 percent of arabica and 18 percent of robusta. [6] Arabica coffee, grown in the Chiriquí highlands at an elevation range of 2,300–3,500 feet (700–1,070 m), [3] is considered the highest quality of Panamanian coffee. [3] The coffee produced here is said to be of a sharp taste, fragrant, with a mild degree of acidity. [3] Among the estates producing coffee, the Café Ruiz is said to be one of the oldest and most regarded. [7] Café Kotowa (Kotowa means "mountain"), a producer of boutique coffee, was established more than 100 years ago by a Scottish immigrant. [7] Boquete has the largest coffee production factory in the country. [8] Another notable plantation is the La Torcaza Estate,[ citation needed ] which is at an elevation of 1,350 m in the southern slopes of Volcan Baru. It is an organically tended plantation where natural microorganisms are used. [8]

Production

Traditional coffee-drying at the Alto Boquete plant of Cafe Ruiz DirkvdM coffee-drying.jpg
Traditional coffee-drying at the Alto Boquete plant of Cafe Ruiz

In 2013, according to FAO statistics, coffee production in the country was 10,100 tons which was about 0.1% of the world production. [9] It was grown in an area of 22,400 hectares (55,000 acres) with a yield of 4,509 hectograms per ha. [9] Coffee production statistics for the period 1961 to 2015 indicate a low of 402 tons in 1961 to 1,422 tons in 1985, and in 2014 it was 510 tons. [10] The indigenous groups known as Ngäbe and Buglé, who reside in the Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro provinces, are dependent on coffee production for their sustenance. [6]

The Panamanian government ensures protection to coffee plants and crops from the effect of pests as it is one of the prime crops of export. In 2013, the pests that severely affected coffee plantations in an area of 20,097 hectares (49,660 acres) were Coffee Rust ( Hemilieia vastatrix ), Ojo de Gallo ( Mycena citricolor ) and Coffee Borer Beetle ( Hypothenemus hampei ). [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<i>Coffea arabica</i> Species of coffee plant

Coffea arabica, also known as the Arabica coffee, is a species of flowering plant in the coffee and madder family Rubiaceae. It is believed to be the first species of coffee to have been cultivated and is the dominant cultivar, representing about 60% of global production. Coffee produced from the less acidic, more bitter, and more highly caffeinated robusta bean makes up most of the remaining coffee production. The natural populations of Coffea arabica are restricted to the forests of South Ethiopia and Yemen.

<i>Coffea canephora</i> Species of coffee plant

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boquete, Chiriquí</span> Place in Chiriquí, Panama

Boquete is a small mountain town in Panama. It is located in the westernmost Province of Chiriquí, about 60 kilometres (37 mi) from the border with Costa Rica, and lies on the Caldera River, in Panama's green mountain highlands. Because of its elevation, some 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) above sea level, its climate is cooler than that of the lowlands. Its scenic location, temperature, and natural environment make it popular with Panamanians and attracts tourists and retirees from all over the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coffee production in Costa Rica</span>

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Ernesto Marco Aníbal Gomezjurado Solórzano better known as Marco Ernesto, was an impressionist Panamanian painter, called "The Palette Knife Master".

References

  1. 1 2 Graham, Harry Crusen (1912). Coffee: Production, trade, and consumption by countries (Public domain ed.). Government Printing Office. p. 47.
  2. "Coffee producing countries by ICO quality group". International Trade Centre. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Baker & Mingasson 2007, p. 198.
  4. Wood 2009, pp. 215–17.
  5. "Panama Geisha Coffee – most expensive coffee in the world". Coffee Without Limits.
  6. 1 2 3 "2013 Emergency declaration on Coffee production in Panama" (PDF). USDA Foreign Agriculture Service. 23 April 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  7. 1 2 Schreck 2007, p. 234.
  8. 1 2 Woods 2005, p. 215.
  9. 1 2 "Panama: Coffee, green, production quantity (tons)". Factfish.com. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  10. "Panama Green Coffee Production by Year". Indexmundi.com. Retrieved 3 June 2015.

Bibliography