Wednesday, March 31, 2004


yet another interesting development in the coffee crisis

"panama specialty coffee growers tuesday warned that a boom in highland real estate sales to foreign retirees threatens to dent the central american nation's future gourmet coffee exports."

what we're discussing here is the future of one of the most beloved specialty coffee origins, the famed panama boquete. it's generally a soft, round, fruity coffee with a light body and very pleasing brightness.

but with the world-price depression known as the coffee crisis fully into its fourth year, is anyone surprised that farmers facing bankruptcy do the economically rational thing? that is, to sell their beautiful coffee farms to wealthy foreign retirees as vacation homes.

i mean, it's either do that or switch to growing illegal drugs. the boquete landscape is truly lovely and many of the farms feature charming colonial-style ranch buildings. who wouldn't want to live there?

the article explains that boquete coffee production could be reduced by as much as 20% in the near term. it sounds drastic, but actually that could be a good thing: maybe then those remaining farmers who devote themselves to producing quality coffee will get a decent return!

and let me take a moment to congratulate bccy pal kimberly easson of transfair. fair-trade coffee sales are reported to be up in a big big way!

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