Why Suriname Was South America’s First Coffee Producer

You’ve likely heard that Brazil dominates global coffee production—but do you know which country in South America actually planted the first coffee trees? The answer isn’t Brazil, Colombia, or even Ecuador. It’s Suriname. Yes, the small nation on the northeastern coast of South America holds the distinction of being the continent’s very first coffee grower. But how did that happen, and why aren’t we sipping Surinamese coffee today?

Suriname was the first country in South America to cultivate coffee, starting in the early 1700s. By the 19th century, Norway was its main export market—but today, Suriname produces almost no coffee, existing in specialty coffee discussions purely for its historical significance.

The Origins: Coffee Arrives in Suriname

In 1667, the Dutch established a settlement in what is now Suriname—then part of Dutch Guiana. It wasn’t until the early 1700s that coffee made its way to the colony. The Dutch brought coffee plants from Java, Indonesia, introducing them to the region. The very first coffee trees were a gift from the Mayor of Amsterdam to a Flemish pirate named Hansback. These trees were planted in the Dutch colony, and within a few years, coffee cultivation spread to nearby French Guiana as well.

How Coffee Spread to Nearby Colonies

A French convict named Mourgues played a key role in expanding coffee cultivation. He was promised amnesty and free movement within French territories if he successfully introduced coffee plants to the French colony of Guiana. True to the story, Mourgues fulfilled his part of the deal, and coffee began to take root in French Guiana not long after its arrival in Dutch Guiana. This transfer highlights how colonial networks facilitated the early spread of coffee across South America.

Why Norway Imported Surinamese Coffee

Historical records indicate that Norway was the primary importer of coffee from Suriname during the height of its production. While the exact volumes and timelines are not detailed in the source, it’s clear that Surinamese coffee had enough presence to become a notable export commodity to a European market. This trade relationship underscores the global nature of early coffee commerce, even in its formative years.

Why Suriname No Longer Produces Coffee

Today, Suriname’s coffee production is negligible. The country’s coffee industry never scaled to compete with larger producers that emerged later, particularly in Brazil. Over time, other regions with more favorable conditions for large-scale cultivation and economic investment took the lead, leaving Suriname’s once-promising coffee sector to fade into obscurity. Its modern output is so minimal that it’s mentioned in specialty coffee circles only as a historical footnote.

What We Know About Early Surinamese Coffee

• Introduced by: Dutch settlers in the early 1700s
• Origin of plants: Java, Indonesia
• First planting location: Dutch Guiana (now Suriname)
• Key individuals: Amsterdam Mayor (donor), Hansback (Flemish pirate), Mourgues (French convict)
• Spread to: French Guiana within a few years
• Main export market: Norway
• Current production: Extremely low, nearly nonexistent

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Historical records confirm that Dutch settlers introduced coffee to Suriname in the early 1700s, making it the first South American country to cultivate coffee. This occurred before Brazil or other neighboring countries began significant coffee production.

Where did the first coffee plants in Suriname come from?

The first coffee plants in Suriname were brought from Java, Indonesia, by Dutch settlers in the early 1700s. They were a gift from the Mayor of Amsterdam to a Flemish pirate named Hansback, who planted them in what was then Dutch Guiana.

Which country was Suriname’s main coffee customer?

Norway was the main importer of Surinamese coffee during the peak of its coffee production. While exact trade details are scarce, historical accounts confirm Norway as the primary export market for Suriname’s coffee.

Why did Suriname stop producing coffee?

Suriname’s coffee production declined because it never scaled to compete with larger coffee-growing regions. Over time, countries like Brazil became dominant due to more favorable conditions and greater investment, leaving Suriname’s production to dwindle to almost nothing.

Are there any coffee farms still operating in Suriname today?

The article states that Suriname’s current coffee production is minimal, with almost no output. There is no mention of active, significant coffee farms, indicating that the industry exists only as a historical relic.

How did coffee spread from Suriname to French Guiana?

Coffee spread to French Guiana through a French convict named Mourgues, who was offered freedom in exchange for introducing coffee plants to the French colony. He succeeded, and French Guiana began growing coffee within a few years of Suriname’s initial cultivation.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Coffee History Fans

While Suriname no longer produces coffee, explore related origins with FrontStreet Coffee’s Panama La Valentina Geisha (washed, 1500–1675m, Osorio family, Geisha variety, floral and citrus notes). For deeper historical context, try FrontStreet’s washed Ethiopians or classic Latin American single origins that trace coffee’s global journey post-Suriname. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.