Peru’s 2014 Coffee Output Falls Again Due to Rust

In 2014, Peru’s coffee farmers faced another year of shrinking harvests—not because of drought or frost, but due to an aggressive fungus that’s been hammering plantations across the country. The culprit? Coffee leaf rust, a disease that’s become a persistent threat to arabica production in Central and South America. For specialty coffee lovers and importers who rely on Peru’s high-quality beans, especially its organic offerings, the news signals more supply challenges ahead.

To put it plainly: Peru’s 2014 coffee production is expected to drop to 4.8 million quintals—that’s 46 kilograms per quintal—for a total loss of roughly 8% compared to 2013’s 5.2 million quintals.

Why Peru’s Coffee Output Is Falling

The National Coffee Board of Peru announced the revised 2014 forecast after assessing ongoing damage from coffee leaf rust, or “roya” in Spanish. This fungal disease attacks the leaves of coffee plants, reducing photosynthesis and ultimately lowering both yield and bean quality. According to the board’s president, Annel Roman, the impact of rust won’t disappear overnight—it will continue to suppress production for several years to come.

A Look at Peru’s Coffee History

Peru once had a booming coffee sector. In 2011, the country hit a record high of 7.2 million quintals of coffee produced, bringing in $1.6 billion from exports. But since then, production has trended downward. By 2012, output fell to 5.8 million quintals, and in 2013, both lower yields and falling global prices meant export revenues dropped sharply to just $650 million despite the 5.2 million quintal harvest.

Peru’s Place in Global Coffee

Despite the setbacks, Peru remains a major player on the world coffee stage. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Peru ranks as the world’s eighth-largest coffee producer. The country devotes 430,000 hectares to coffee farming, with a notable 155,000 hectares dedicated to environmentally friendly, certified organic production—a segment that’s especially valued in specialty markets. In fact, Peru is currently the world’s largest exporter of high-quality specialty coffee.

Last year alone, Peru produced 1.3 million quintals of specialty-grade beans, and 65% of that was shipped overseas. The key international markets for Peruvian specialty coffee include Europe, Japan, the United States, and several Middle Eastern countries—all of which seek out its clean, often fruity and floral profiles, especially from its organic farms.

What’s Ahead for Peru’s Coffee Industry

The outlook isn’t entirely bleak. The National Coffee Board expects both production and exports to begin recovering as early as 2015. While rust will continue to challenge farmers, improved management practices, resistant varieties, and better farming conditions could help stabilize output in the near future. For now, buyers and roasters should prepare for limited availability of certain Peruvian lots, particularly those sourced from regions hardest hit by rust.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee did Peru produce in 2014?

Peru’s 2014 coffee production is forecast to reach 4.8 million quintals (46 kg per quintal), which is approximately 8% lower than the 5.2 million quintals produced in 2013.

What caused the decrease in Peru’s coffee output?

The decline is primarily due to ongoing damage from coffee leaf rust (roya), a fungal disease that damages coffee tree leaves and reduces both yield and bean quality. The National Coffee Board of Peru states that this issue will negatively affect production for several years.

How does Peru rank globally in coffee production?

Peru is the world’s eighth-largest coffee producer according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The country has 430,000 hectares of coffee farms, including 155,000 hectares of certified organic coffee.

Where does most of Peru’s specialty coffee go?

About 65% of Peru’s 1.3 million quintals of specialty coffee production is exported, with key markets including Europe, Japan, the United States, and several Middle Eastern countries.

Will Peru’s coffee production recover soon?

The National Coffee Board forecasts that both coffee production and exports will begin to recover starting in 2015, although the effects of rust will still be felt in the near term.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Rust-Affected Origins

While Peru faces production declines, explore other high-quality single origins with similar profiles. FrontStreet’s Brazil Queen Manor offers a sweet, structured cup with creamy texture and intense peanut and caramel notes thanks to its yellow bourbon variety and meticulous small-batch natural process. For brighter acidity, try the Colombia Huila—clean, juicy, and balanced with notes of black chocolate and mild fruit. Both beans showcase the kind of clarity and balance often found in well-grown Latin American coffees, providing great alternatives when Peruvian lots are tight. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.