300,000 lbs of Baisha Coffee Unsold as Buyers Disappear

In January 2024, over 300,000 pounds of freshly harvested and stored coffee beans from Hainan’s Baisha Crater sit unsold, leaving local farmers in financial limbo just before the Lunar New Year. Once sought after for its rich chocolate and milk notes, Baisha coffee now faces an uncertain future as buyers vanish and prices collapse.

Yes—more than 30,000 lbs are already in warehouse storage, and up to 300,000 lbs could be added if farmers pick the remaining ripe cherries. Without buyers soon, the beans may spoil within months, wiping out farmers’ incomes.

What Is Baisha Coffee and Why Was It Special?

Baisha coffee is grown in the volcanic soil of the Baisha Crater, located 9 km southeast of Yazha Town in Hainan’s Baisha County. The region is also known for its Baisha Green Tea, but the coffee has long been the more famous crop. Since the 1980s, farmers have cultivated coffee on marginal lands near the crater’s tea fields, expanding to over 600 acres today with more than 30 active producers. The beans developed a distinctive profile: naturally sweet with tones of milk chocolate and soft fruit, making it a favourite among roasters and drinkers alike.

"It used to be premium coffee that major processors fought over," said Cheng Zongpei, head of the Baisha Meteorite Ridge Coffee Cooperative. For decades, Baisha coffee was considered a top-tier bean, especially valued for its smooth body and unique terroir-driven flavours.

How Did the Market Collapse for Baisha Coffee?

The trouble began around 2013–2014. Previously stable at 18–20 RMB per pound, prices began to fall sharply. By mid-2014, the market turned hostile: buyers started demanding stricter grading, rejected batches for minor flaws, and often insisted on only bright red, fully ripe cherries. Prices plummeted to just 16 RMB per pound—and even at that level, no one was buying.

"In the past, buyers came to us. Now, we can’t give the coffee away," said a local farmer. Cheng suspects collusion among buyers to drive prices down until farmers are forced to sell at a loss. With rubber prices also falling, coffee had once been a financial buffer—but no longer.

What Happens If the Coffee Isn’t Sold Soon?

As of early 2024, around 30,000 lbs of beans are already warehoused. If the rest of the ripe cherries are picked before the season ends, that number could exceed 300,000 lbs. The beans can only be stored for 6–12 months without proper facilities. Without quick sales or cold storage, the coffee will deteriorate, leaving farmers with worthless inventory.

"For farmers without proper storage, these beans will become a hot potato," Cheng warned. The cooperative formed in June 2023 to find bulk buyers, but efforts have only yielded small, scattered purchases—nowhere near enough volume to sustain the growers.

What’s the Plan If No Buyers Come Forward?

If media outreach fails to attract buyers, Cheng says the cooperative may take drastic steps: pooling money, taking loans, and investing in their own processing equipment. Their goal is to build a small-scale factory, process the beans themselves, and establish a Baisha-branded coffee for direct sales. But that requires capital, time, and expertise none of them currently have.

"We’re hoping buyers come now. If not, we’ll have to try building our own brand," Cheng said. Until then, the clock is ticking on over 300,000 lbs of high-quality coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Baisha coffee grown?

Baisha coffee is grown in the volcanic soils around the Baisha Crater, about 9 km southeast of Yazha Town in Hainan Province, China. The unique terroir contributes to its signature chocolate and milk notes.

Why is Baisha coffee not selling in 2024?

Over 300,000 lbs of Baisha coffee beans are unsold due to collapsed buyer demand, price drops to 16 RMB per pound, and alleged buyer collusion to suppress prices. Small, scattered purchases aren’t enough to clear the inventory.

How much coffee is at risk of spoiling?

Approximately 30,000 lbs are already in storage, with up to 300,000 lbs more at risk if remaining cherries are harvested. Most beans can only be stored for 6–12 months without proper cold storage.

What does Baisha coffee taste like?

Baisha coffee is known for its natural sweetness, with tasting notes of milk chocolate and soft fruit. It was considered a high-quality, premium single-origin bean before the market collapse.

What will farmers do if buyers don’t show up?

If no buyers are found, the Baisha Coffee Cooperative plans to invest in their own processing equipment, build a small factory, and create a branded Baisha coffee product for direct sales.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans with Similar Chocolate Notes

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for bright acidity with hints of dark chocolate, or their Colombia Huila for a balanced cup with cocoa sweetness. Both share the kind of layered flavour profile that made Baisha coffee so popular. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.