Suriname: A Forgotten Name in Coffee History

When you’re tracing the roots of coffee in the Americas, one country rarely comes up—yet it was the very first in South America to grow coffee. That country is Suriname. While today it produces almost nothing compared to its neighbors, its early 18th-century role in spreading coffee from Asia to the Caribbean is both documented and significant. So why did such an early player disappear? Let’s look at the real history.

In short: Suriname, then Dutch Guiana, became South America’s first coffee-growing region in the early 18th century after the Dutch introduced coffee trees from Java around 1710–1720. These were first planted by a Flemish pirate and later spread into French Guiana—often via a pardoned convict. By the time production declined, Norway had been a key export market. Today, Suriname’s coffee output is negligible—but its historical footprint is clear.

The Dutch Introduction of Coffee to Suriname

The Dutch settled in Suriname as early as 1667, but coffee didn’t arrive until the early 18th century. Around that time, they imported coffee plants from Java—then a Dutch colony in Southeast Asia. These weren’t just any cuttings: the very first coffee trees in Suriname were a gift from the mayor of Amsterdam to a Flemish pirate known as Hansback.

These trees were planted in what was then Dutch Guiana. The exact year isn’t certain, but it was early in the 1700s. This marked the beginning of coffee cultivation in South America outside of Brazil, which would rise to dominance much later.

From Dutch Guiana to French Guiana

Not long after their introduction, the coffee trees began spreading beyond Dutch control. Neighboring French Guiana soon saw coffee cultivation as well—likely thanks to human vectors more than official policy.

A French convict named Mourgues played a key role. He was reportedly offered a pardon and freedom of movement in French territory in exchange for successfully introducing coffee plants into French colonies. Historical accounts confirm he achieved this, helping establish coffee in French Guiana shortly after its arrival in Suriname.

Why Suriname’s Coffee Faded

Despite being first, Suriname never developed a lasting global coffee industry. At its peak, it did have trade connections—one notable export market was Norway. But over time, production declined, and the country faded from the world coffee map.

Today, Suriname produces almost no coffee. When it’s mentioned in coffee history, it’s solely due to these early events: the first Java-derived coffee in South America, the pirate-linked planting, and the convict-mediated spread into French Guiana. Those moments shaped regional coffee flow, even if Suriname itself didn’t sustain it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Historical records confirm that Suriname, then part of Dutch Guiana, was the first country in South America to cultivate coffee, beginning in the early 18th century with trees imported from Java by the Dutch around 1710–1720.

Who first planted coffee in Suriname?

The first coffee trees in Suriname were a gift from the mayor of Amsterdam to a Flemish pirate named Hansback. These trees were planted in what was then Dutch Guiana in the early 1700s.

How did coffee spread from Suriname to French Guiana?

Coffee spread to French Guiana largely through a French convict named Mourgues, who was promised a pardon and free movement if he introduced coffee plants into French territories. He succeeded, and coffee took root in French Guiana not long after its arrival in Suriname.

Did Suriname ever export coffee?

Yes, during its brief period of production, Suriname did export coffee. One recorded export market was Norway, which imported Surinamese coffee products during the height of its production.

Why did Suriname stop producing coffee?

Suriname’s coffee production declined over time and eventually stopped. The reasons aren’t detailed in the source, but the country never developed a large-scale coffee industry and eventually faded from global coffee production entirely.

Is Suriname known for coffee today?

No. Today, Suriname produces almost no coffee and is not known as a coffee-growing nation. It is only mentioned in coffee history for its early 18th-century role in introducing and spreading coffee in South America.

FrontStreet Coffee Beans Related to Early Java Imports

While FrontStreet Coffee doesn’t roast Surinamese beans today, Java-origin coffees offer a direct link to the genetic and historical lineage that reached Suriname in the 1700s. Try the FrontStreet Yirgacheffe for bright floral and citrus notes, or their Ethiopia Huakui for jasmine and stone fruit—both share the floral acidity typical of older Typica-related varieties that may descend from those early Java imports. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.