Also of Interest
El Salvador Red Honey - Finca Cartagena Red Bourbon
About This Coffee
History of El Salvador Coffee
Coffee was first introduced to El Salvador from the Caribbean as a garden crop in the mid-18th century but did not gain a commercial production foothold until 1850’s because indigo, easier to grow and more profitable, was king. Coffee was first exported—695 bags—in 1856 and the government began to encourage coffee farming. Exponential growth coincided with the development of synthetic indigo near the end of the century. At one time, El Salvador was one of the largest producers of commercial coffees. Today, with a focus on quality over quantity, 70% of coffee from El Salvador sells for a premium above commodity prices.
Growing Coffee in El Salvador
In 1975 El Salvador was, remarkably for its size, one of the largest coffee producers in the world, exporting 3.8 million bags. Today, a good year is 600,000 bags. Today, 86% of producers are responsible for only 20% of the country’s production, having 7 hectares or less. This means, that 80% of coffee production is controlled by only 14% of producers. And yet, because peace in El Salvador and the opening of coffee farming to smallholders coincided with the emergence of the specialty coffee sector in consuming countries and the inevitable rise of new-thinking generations within old families, there is a pervasive focus on quality regardless of farm size. Most coffee from El Salvador was sold at a differential price above commodity prices.
- Farm Name Finca Cartagena
- Producer Type Single Estate
- Processing Honey
- Processing Description Sun-dried on patios
- Bag Type Grain Pro / Ecotact
- Plant Species Arabica
- Variety Bourbon
- On Sale No
- Top Lot No
- Status Spot
- Coffee Grade SLV CA WA SHG
- CTRM Contract Number P615648-1
- Country of Origin El Salvador
- Warehouse Continental NJ