Coffee production in Guatemala
Encyclopedia
The coffee production in Guatemala is important for the Guatemalan economy
. While until recently it was Central America
's top producer of coffee
, the coffee production in Honduras
surpassed Guatemala in 2011.
However, there are also illegal exports to Honduras and Mexico and earnings from illegal trade are not reflected in the official statistics.
. Small plantations flourished in Amatitlán
and Antigua areas in the southwest. Initial growth though was slow due to lack of knowledge and technology. Many planters had to rely on loans and borrow from their families to finance their coffee estates (fincas) so coffee production in the country grew increasing non-Guatemalan, owned by foreign companies who possessed the financial power to buy plantations and provide investment.
The scarcity of laborers was the main obstacle to a rapid increase of coffee production in Guatemala. In 1887, the production was over 48,500,000 pounds; in 1891, it was over 52,000,000 pounds. From 1879 to 1883, Guatemala exported 293,274,971 pounds of coffee. By 1902, the most important coffee plantations were found in the southern coast. Many acres of land were suitable for this cultivation, and the varieties that were produced in the temperate regions were superior. Coffee was grown around Guatemala City
, Chimaltenango
, and Verapaz
. The majority of the plantations were located in the departments of Guatemala, Amatitlan, Zacatepeques, Solola, Retalhuleu, Quezaltenango, San Marcos, and Alta Vera Paz.
Economy of Guatemala
Guatemala is the most populous of the Central American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-third that of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products...
. While until recently it was Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
's top producer of coffee
Coffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
, the coffee production in Honduras
Coffee production in Honduras
The coffee production in Honduras played a role in the country's history and is important for the Honduran economy. In 2011, the country became Central America's top producer of coffee.-History:19th century...
surpassed Guatemala in 2011.
However, there are also illegal exports to Honduras and Mexico and earnings from illegal trade are not reflected in the official statistics.
Geography
The most suitable temperature for the healthy growth and abundant production of coffee in Guatemala is that of 60° to 90° F. In lands situated at an altitude of 500–700 m (1,640.4–2,296.6 ) above sea level, young plants must be shaded. In zones averaging an altitude of 1500 metres (4,921.3 ft), the plantations must be sheltered from the cold north winds. For the most part, the coffee plantations are situated at an altitude varying from 500–5000 m (1,640.4–16,404.2 ) above sea level.History
The coffee industry began to develop in Guatemala in the 1850s and 1860s, initially mixing its cultivation with cochinealCochineal
The cochineal is a scale insect in the suborder Sternorrhyncha, from which the crimson-colour dye carmine is derived. A primarily sessile parasite native to tropical and subtropical South America and Mexico, this insect lives on cacti from the genus Opuntia, feeding on plant moisture and...
. Small plantations flourished in Amatitlán
Amatitlán
Amatitlán is a town in the Guatemala department of Guatemala. The main industry of the town during colonial times was the preparation of cochineal...
and Antigua areas in the southwest. Initial growth though was slow due to lack of knowledge and technology. Many planters had to rely on loans and borrow from their families to finance their coffee estates (fincas) so coffee production in the country grew increasing non-Guatemalan, owned by foreign companies who possessed the financial power to buy plantations and provide investment.
The scarcity of laborers was the main obstacle to a rapid increase of coffee production in Guatemala. In 1887, the production was over 48,500,000 pounds; in 1891, it was over 52,000,000 pounds. From 1879 to 1883, Guatemala exported 293,274,971 pounds of coffee. By 1902, the most important coffee plantations were found in the southern coast. Many acres of land were suitable for this cultivation, and the varieties that were produced in the temperate regions were superior. Coffee was grown around Guatemala City
Guatemala City
Guatemala City , is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America...
, Chimaltenango
Chimaltenango
Chimaltenango is a town in Guatemala of some 43,900 people . It serves as both the capital of the department of Chimaltenango and the municipal seat for the surrounding municipality of the same name....
, and Verapaz
Verapaz
Verapaz is a municipality in the San Vincente department of El Salvador. Verapaz means 'true peace' . It has been the site of two recent natural disasters. An earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale on the 13 February 2001 and the 2009 Salvador floods and mudslides in November 2009.-References:...
. The majority of the plantations were located in the departments of Guatemala, Amatitlan, Zacatepeques, Solola, Retalhuleu, Quezaltenango, San Marcos, and Alta Vera Paz.