Why Was Suriname the First Country to Grow Coffee?

When you think of the birthplace of coffee in the Americas, your mind probably jumps to Brazil. But long before Brazil became the global coffee giant, another country—Suriname—was quietly planting the continent’s first coffee trees. Why isn’t Suriname celebrated as the coffee pioneer it once was? And how did coffee even get there in the first place?

The short answer: Suriname—then part of Dutch Guiana—was the first country in South America to cultivate coffee, starting in the early 1700s. Dutch settlers brought coffee from Java around 1710–1720, and by the mid-1700s, coffee cultivation had also spread into nearby French Guiana. That makes Suriname the original coffee-growing nation on the continent.

How Coffee First Came to Suriname

Suriname’s coffee story begins with the Dutch, who had settled in the region as early as 1667. By the early 18th century, they started experimenting with coffee cultivation. According to historical accounts, the very first coffee plants were a gift: the mayor of Amsterdam presented them to a Flemish pirate named Hansback. These plants originated from Java, one of the Dutch East Indies’ key coffee-producing regions.

The trees were planted in what was then known as Dutch Guiana (modern-day Suriname). Within a few years, French settlers and prisoners in neighboring French Guiana also began growing coffee—after a French convict named Mourgues successfully introduced coffee plants there in exchange for amnesty and freedom.

Why Suriname’s Coffee Spread to Nearby Regions

Once coffee was established in Suriname, its cultivation quickly influenced nearby territories. The Dutch colony’s proximity to French Guiana allowed for easy transfer of both plants and knowledge. The French prisoner Mourgues reportedly played a key role in spreading coffee cultivation in French territories by securing coffee plants from Suriname and receiving a pardon for his efforts.

This cross-colonial transfer turned Suriname into an unexpected hub for early coffee distribution in South America—even though it never developed into a major global supplier.

Why Suriname No Longer Produces Much Coffee

Despite being the first to grow coffee in South America, Suriname’s coffee industry never scaled up. In its heyday, Norway was one of the main importers of Surinamese coffee. However, over time, production declined significantly, and today Suriname produces only negligible quantities of coffee.

The reasons likely include limited land expansion, competition from larger producers like Brazil and Colombia, and shifts in colonial economic priorities. While coffee was historically important, it never became a long-term staple crop for the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Suriname really the first place in South America to grow coffee?

Yes. Historical records confirm that coffee was first cultivated in Suriname (then Dutch Guiana) in the early 1700s, making it the earliest coffee-growing country in South America. Brazil began significant coffee production later, in the 1720s–1730s.

Where did the first coffee plants in Suriname come from?

The first coffee plants in Suriname came from Java, in the Dutch East Indies. They were a gift from the mayor of Amsterdam to a Flemish pirate named Hansback, and were planted in what was then Dutch Guiana around 1710–1720.

How did coffee spread from Suriname to French Guiana?

Coffee spread to French Guiana through a French prisoner named Mourgues, who was promised amnesty and freedom in exchange for introducing coffee plants into French colonial territory. He successfully brought coffee from Suriname and helped establish its cultivation there.

Did Suriname ever export coffee internationally?

Yes. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, Suriname exported coffee—Norway was one of its main importers. However, exports declined over time as production fell and other countries became dominant in the global coffee trade.

Why did Suriname stop producing coffee?

Suriname’s coffee production declined due to a combination of factors, including limited agricultural expansion, competition from larger coffee-growing nations like Brazil, and changes in colonial economic focus. Today, its coffee output is minimal.

Is Surinamese coffee available to buy today?

Virtually none is produced in commercial quantities today, so Surinamese coffee is extremely rare and not commonly available for purchase through normal channels.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffees with Historic Depth

While Surinamese coffee is no longer widely available, explore FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral complexity reminiscent of early arabica lineage, or Panama Humbera for balanced fruit and sweetness akin to classic plantation profiles. Both highlight the kind of nuanced cup qualities that historic Surinamese coffees may have shared. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.