Mexico’s Coffee Output Falls to 45-Year Low

Mexico’s coffee farmers have been battling more than just market prices. For 15 straight years, the country’s coffee output has fallen—hit hard by leaf rust disease and a lack of government backing. The result? A historic low that’s left the industry struggling to recover.

In the 2014–2015 season, Mexico produced just 3.3 million 60kg bags of coffee—the lowest volume in 45 years. That’s down from 6.2 million bags in 1999–2000, and the current yield of 1.2 tonnes per hectare is also the weakest on record.

How Mexico Fell From Global Coffee Leader to Ninth Place

Back in the 1990s, Mexico was the world’s fifth-largest coffee producer—trailing only Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Today, it doesn’t even crack the top five. In fact, it’s slipped all the way to ninth place globally.

The Root of the Decline: Leaf Rust and Policy Gaps

The primary culprit behind Mexico’s coffee collapse is coffee leaf rust, a fungal disease that damages trees and slashes yields. But it’s not the only issue. According to Mexico’s El Financiero newspaper, the prolonged drop also stems from insufficient government policies to support farmers, control disease, or stabilise production.

What the Numbers Show: A Steep and Steady Fall

• 2014–2015 Production: 3.3 million bags (60kg each)
• 1999–2000 Production: 6.2 million bags
• Yield per Hectare (current): 1.2 tonnes
• Historical Ranking: 5th in the 1990s → 9th today

These figures highlight not just a decline, but a collapse over a 15-year span—with no rebound in sight.

Why This Matters Beyond Mexico

Mexico may no longer be a top-tier coffee giant, but it remains a significant origin. Its struggles reflect broader challenges in the coffee world: climate vulnerability, underinvestment in farming communities, and the difficulty of maintaining production without strong institutional support. For coffee professionals and drinkers alike, Mexico’s fall is a warning sign of what can happen when those pieces fall out of place.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee did Mexico produce in 2014–2015?

Mexico produced 3.3 million 60kg bags of coffee in the 2014–2015 season, the lowest output in 45 years.

What was Mexico’s highest recorded coffee production?

Mexico’s peak production was 6.2 million bags during the 1999–2000 season.

Why has Mexico’s coffee production declined so sharply?

The decline is primarily due to coffee leaf rust disease and a lack of effective government policies to support farmers or control the disease over the past 15 years.

How does Mexico’s coffee yield per hectare compare historically?

The current yield is 1.2 tonnes per hectare, the lowest ever recorded in Mexico.

What was Mexico’s global coffee production ranking in the 1990s?

In the 1990s, Mexico was the world’s fifth-largest coffee producer.

What is Mexico’s global coffee ranking today?

Today, Mexico ranks ninth in global coffee production.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Mexican Coffee Fans

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