The Mexican Revolution. The United States of Mexico is the 8th largest producer of coffee in the world, and the largest coffee trade partner with the United States of America. 97% of the country’s coffee trees are grown under shade; in some areas (such as the State of Colima), farmers are paid 150 pesos per hectare per year for preserving shade trees. While there are 12 states which grow coffee, only a handful are known by name. Fully 80% of Mexico’s coffee is exported by four companies, and only 10-15% of the country’s exports are considered specialty.
The situation is ripe for those numbers to change. Over a century ago the Mexican Revolution rallied farmers across the nation to redistribute land and wealth. A few years ago the Cup of Excellence began inciting farmers to take an interest in the quality of their coffee. As the specialty coffee revolution spreads, expect to see new generation of flavors coming out of states other than Chiapas and Veracruz.
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