Guatemala, a nation in Central America, has been making coffee for more than a century. The country’s economy greatly benefits from the coffee sector, and coffee is the second-largest export after bananas. High-quality Arabica coffee beans with citrus, caramel, and chocolate flavor characteristics are famously grown in Guatemala.
The Cielo coffee variety, which is grown on the flanks of the Atitlán volcano, is one of Guatemala’s most well-known coffee cultivars. The beans’ distinctive flavor characteristic is a result of their high altitude and volcanic soil. The medium roast Cielo coffee has a silky body, sharp acidity, and. It has roasted nuts, dark chocolate, and a smidge of citrus in its flavor profile.
Small coffee farmers in Guatemala struggle to make a living despite the lucrative nature of the coffee industry. Guatemalan coffee farmers typically make less than $2 per day, which is considered to be below the poverty level. Numerous factors contribute to this poverty, such as poor coffee prices, difficulty obtaining loans, and climate change.
For coffee producers all across the world, low coffee prices are a serious issue. Due to fluctuations in global supply and demand, coffee prices are frequently unstable. Coffee farmers make less money from their crop when prices are low. They find it challenging to make improvements to their farms, buy machinery, or pay employees as a result. Additionally, tiny coffee growers frequently sell their crop to middlemen who offer them low rates, leaving the growers with little profit.
Additionally, Guatemalan coffee production has been impacted by climate change. Extreme weather events like floods and droughts have harmed crops, lowering yields and quality. Additionally, coffee farmers find it difficult to keep up with the cost of climate change adaptation.
Despite these difficulties, producers with the correct means can make a profit from their coffee operations. Access to capital, education, and technology can help coffee farmers increase their yields, boost the quality of their coffee, and raise the price at which their coffee is sold. Additionally, farmers of coffee who sell to customers directly can make more money than those who sell through middlemen.
Let’s sum up by saying that Guatemala is renowned for producing premium Arabica coffee beans, notably the well-known Cielo coffee. Unfortunately, low coffee prices, limited access to credit, and climate change make it difficult for small coffee producers in Guatemala to make a living. Even though growing coffee can be profitable for growers with the correct resources, many small coffee farmers still struggle to make ends meet.