From the Field
Monday, February 28, 2022
Guatemala Harvest Update
Guatemala’s harvest is late this year, says Maria Barquin, Green Coffee Merchant at Sucafina EMEA. “There was less cherry flowing in December when we’d normally see coffee coming from lower altitudes. Even now, when we’re generally receiving samples, we’re not seeing much,” Maria says.
These harvest differences are caused by a mixture of factors, including climate change and migration patterns. Changes in rainfall and temperatures are impacting coffee flowering and cherry development. “The rainy season was irregular and flowering has been more spread out and inconsistent,” Maria says.
Labor migration is impacting coffee production in several ways. First, more Guatemalans are migrating to Honduras to pick coffee there. Volumes and yields in Honduras are typically higher, meaning that pickers can pick more in a day and, since pickers are typically paid by the weight of cherry picked, make more money. Additionally, the post-pandemic construction boom has been affecting workers in Guatemala. “Day laborers can make about 20% more working in construction than picking coffee,” says Stacy Bocskor, Trader with Sucafina NA. Finally, an increasing number of laborers are migrating to the United States in search of better income and opportunities.
In terms of quality, we’re expecting that quality will be a bit lower compared to previous years. “This is mainly due to prices,” Maria says. “When prices are so high for commercial, there’s not much of an incentive to invest in producing specialty coffee.”
For roasters looking to buy coffee from Guatemala this year, we suggest booking as soon as possible and not waiting too long to cover your needs. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your trader to sample or book Guatemalan coffees.