Peru’s coffee production is projected to hit 4.2 million 60-kg bags in 2025/26—an 8% jump from last year. Rising global market trends and sustainability practices are pushing this growth, with farms across the eastern Andes ramping up output. Arabica beans dominate, led by Typica and Caturra varieties. Improved fertilizer use and a 28% price surge in exports—averaging $229 per bag—have enhanced profits. The U.S., Germany, and Belgium buy over half of Peru’s coffee, while Asian markets gain traction. Yet, farmers aren’t reaping full benefits. Enhanced traceability systems are now mandatory for exporters to comply with the EU’s deforestation-free regulations, adding layers of documentation that strain rural cooperatives.
Global demand for organic coffee has made Peru the top exporter, with 90,000 hectares certified. Shade-grown, hand-picked beans meet eco-conscious buyers’ standards, pulling higher prices. The National Coffee Board aims to renovate 50,000 hectares by 2030 using agroforestry—mixing crops with trees to improve soil and yields. Regions like Junín see better irrigation, and Cusco’s initiatives enhance climate resilience.
Peru dominates organic coffee exports with 90,000 certified hectares, deploying agroforestry to revitalize 50,000 hectares by 2030 for resilient, high-value yields.
But these upgrades cost money. Smallholders often lack funds for fertilizers or pest control, leaving them vulnerable to leaf rust and borers. Despite higher export prices, many growers remain cash-strapped as labor costs consume 58% of production budgets, leaving little for equipment upgrades or pest management. Export values hit $1.1 billion this year, but volumes dipped 54% in March. Higher prices softened the blow, yet many farmers can’t cash in. Over 70% of Peru’s coffee comes from small farms, where outdated equipment and poor roads delay shipments. EU certification rules add hurdles, forcing exporters to juggle paperwork while competing globally. In Cajamarca, stable output and better cup quality mask struggles with access to loans.
San Martín’s growers face unpredictable rains, and Amazonas lags in adopting new tech. Despite forecasts of 5.50% annual growth until 2034, profits don’t trickle down. Middlemen often pocket gains, leaving farmers with thin margins. Renovating fields takes years, and climate shocks—like droughts in San Martín—wreck harvests overnight. Farmers say prices don’t cover rising costs for labor or organic certifications.
Peru’s coffee boom shines in export stats, but for many tending the crops, making ends meet remains a daily grind.
