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 $1029 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 1350 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 4509 hectograms per ha. [9] Coffee production statistics for the period 1961 to 2015 indicate a low of 402 tons in 1961 to 1422 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]

Related Research Articles

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

Coffea arabica, also known as the Arabian 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 currently the dominant cultivar, representing about 60% of global production. Coffee produced from the robusta bean makes up most of the remaining coffee production. Arabica coffee originates from Ethiopia and was first cultivated in Yemen, and documented by the 12th century. Coffea arabica is called ‏بُنّ‎ in Arabic, borrowed from the Oromo "Buna".

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

Coffea canephora is a species of coffee that has its origins in central and western sub-Saharan Africa. It is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. Though widely known as Coffea robusta, the plant is scientifically identified as Coffea canephora, which has two main varieties, robusta and nganda.

Economics of coffee

Coffee is a popular beverage and an important commodity. Tens of millions of small producers in developing countries make their living growing coffee. Over 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed in the world daily. Over 90 percent of coffee production takes place in developing countries—mainly South America—while consumption happens primarily in industrialized economies. There are 25 million small producers who rely on coffee for a living worldwide. In Brazil, where almost a third of the world's coffee is produced, over five million people are employed in the cultivation and harvesting of over three billion coffee plants; it is a more labour-intensive culture than alternative cultures of the same regions, such as sugar cane or cattle, as its cultivation is not automated, requiring frequent human attention.

Boquete, Chiriquí 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.

Coffee production in Costa Rica

Coffee production has played a key role in Costa Rica's history and continues to be important to the country's economy. In 2006, coffee was Costa Rica's number three export, after being the number one cash crop export for several decades. In 1997, the agriculture sector employed 28 percent of the labor force and comprised 20 percent of Costa Rica's total GNP. Production increased from 158,000 tons in 1988 to 168,000 tons in 1992. The largest growing areas are in the provinces of San José, Alajuela, Heredia, Puntarenas, and Cartago. The coffee is exported to other countries in the world and is also exported to cities in Costa Rica.

Coffee production in Indonesia

Indonesia was the fourth-largest producer of coffee in the world in 2014. Coffee cultivation in Indonesia began in the late 1600s and early 1700s, in the early Dutch colonial period, and has played an important part in the growth of the country. Indonesia is geographically and climatologically well-suited for coffee plantations, near the equator and with numerous interior mountainous regions on its main islands, creating well-suited microclimates for the growth and production of coffee.

Coffee production in India Coffee

Coffee production in India is dominated in the hill tracts of South Indian states, with Karnataka accounting for 71%, followed by Kerala with 21% and Tamil Nadu. Indian coffee is said to be the finest coffee grown in the shade rather than direct sunlight anywhere in the world. There are about 250,000 coffee growers in the country; 98% of them are small growers. As of 2009, Indian coffee made up just 4.5% of the global production. Almost 80% of Indian coffee is exported; 70% is bound for Germany, Russia, Spain, Belgium, Slovenia, United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Greece, Netherlands and France. Italy accounts for 29% of the exports. Most of the export is shipped through the Suez Canal.

Boquete District District in Chiriquí Province, Panama

Boquete District is a district (distrito) of Chiriquí Province in Panama located on the North of the Chiriqui Province, in the western side of the country. The population according to the 2010 census was 22,435. The district covers a total area of 488.4 km².

Geisha (coffee) Coffee variety

Geisha coffee, sometimes referred to as Gesha coffee, is a variety of coffee tree that originated in the Gori Gesha forest, Ethiopia, though it is now grown in several other nations in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. It is widely known for its unique flavor profile of floral and sweet notes, its high selling price, and its exclusivity as its demand has increased over the years.

The Guadeloupe Bonifieur is a variety of coffee grown in Guadeloupe. Guadeloupe Bonifieur is the ancestor of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee and is very rare. The fresh air, high altitude, and abundance of rain create ideal conditions for growing this Arabica variety. The variety is called Guadeloupe Bonifieur because of its high quality and great taste, and because, in the past, it was used to enhance lower quality blends. Connoisseurs consider it one of the best coffees in the world, even though it is only available from a few distributors.

Coffee production in Laos

Laos produces two main types of coffee: Robusta and Arabica. Robusta is mainly used for regular coffee as well as a typical coffee drink in Laos where it is sweetened with condensed milk. The latter, Arabica, is of a higher quality due to its mild taste, and it is used for espresso. For the 20,000 tons of coffee that Laos produces a year, 5,000 tons are Arabica beans and 15,000 tons are Robusta.

Coffee production in Uganda

Coffee is Uganda's top-earning export crop. In 1989 Uganda's coffee production capacity exceeded its quota of 2.3 million bags, but export volumes were still diminished by economic and security problems, and large amounts of coffee beans were still being smuggled out of Uganda for sale in neighbouring countries.

Coffee production in the Dominican Republic is based mainly in the mountain regions of the country, in the highlands which form at least one-half of the area of Hispaniola. Introduced to the country in 1715, the Dominican Republic bean is larger and thicker than Martinique's. The major coffee variety grown in the country is Arabica. Robusta is also grown but only in about 1.3% of the land area; it is consumed locally.

Coffee production in Jamaica

Coffee production in Jamaica began after 1728, when governor Sir Nicholas Lawes introduced the crop near Castleton, north of Kingston. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is the special variety of coffee that is grown in the Blue Mountains region, which has the most conducive climate and topographical features; this variety is known for its scent and sweet taste. Most of Jamaica's coffee production is grown for export.

Coffee production in Cameroon

Coffee production is very important for the economy of Cameroon The crop is grown extensively in the country, with robusta more prevalent in the coastal areas and arabica more widespread in the western highlands. The two varieties of arabica cultivated are Java and Jamaïca of which only Java is resistant to pests such as coffee berry disease and rust. In 2014, Cameroon was ranked the 31st largest producer of coffee in world.

Coffee production in Sri Lanka

Coffee production in Sri Lanka peaked in 1870, with over 111,400 hectares being cultivated. The Dutch had experimented with coffee cultivation in the 18th century, but it was not successful until the British began large scale commercial production following the Colebrooke–Cameron Commission reforms of 1833. By 1860, the country was amongst the major coffee-producing nations in the world. Although coffee production remains a source of revenue, it is no longer a main economic sector. In 2014, the country ranked 43rd of largest coffee producers in the world.

Coffee production in Peru

Peru is one of the top 20 coffee producers in the world as of 2014. It ranks fifth in the export of Arabica in the world market.

Benguet coffee, also known as Benguet arabica, is a single-origin coffee varietal grown in the Cordillera highlands of the northern Philippines since the 19th century. It belongs to the species Coffea arabica, of the Typica variety. It is one of the main crops of farmers in the province of Benguet, which has a climate highly suitable for arabica cultivation. Benguet coffee is listed in the Ark of Taste international catalogue of endangered heritage foods by the Slow Food movement.

Marco Ernesto Panamanian painter

Ernesto Marco Aníbal Gomezjurado Solórzano better known as Marco Ernesto, was an impressionist Panamanian painter, called "The Pallete 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