Peru Coffee Output May Drop 8% Due to Rust Disease

Peru’s coffee growers are facing yet another tough harvest. The country’s national coffee body has confirmed that the ongoing impact of coffee leaf rust—also known as coffee rust or Hemileia vastatrix—will keep cutting into yields. For coffee professionals and enthusiasts tracking global supply stability, this means another year of reduced availability from one of the world’s key specialty origins.

In short: Peru’s 2024 coffee production is projected to hit just 4.8 million dan (each dan equals 46kg), an 8% drop from 2023’s 5.2 million dan. That’s according to the National Coffee Board of Peru.

What Is Driving the Decline in Peru’s Coffee Harvest?

The primary culprit is coffee leaf rust, a fungal disease that attacks the leaves of coffee plants, reducing photosynthesis and eventually lowering both yield and bean quality. The president of Peru’s National Coffee Board, Annel Roman, stated that the disease continues to impact plantations and will suppress production for several years to come.

Once a high-flyer in global coffee output, Peru’s production peaked at 7.2 million dan in 2011—with exports bringing in $1.6 billion. But since then, output has trended downward. In 2012, it fell to 5.8 million dan, and now, with both reduced volume and falling prices, export revenue for the current year is expected to total just $650 million.

How Big Is Peru in the Global Coffee Market?

Peru is a significant player. According to data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Peru ranks as the world’s eighth-largest coffee producer. The country has around 430,000 hectares dedicated to coffee farming—with 155,000 hectares cultivated under environmentally friendly, certified organic practices. This makes Peru especially important in the growing market for specialty, organic, and sustainable coffees.

More importantly, Peru has become the world’s leading exporter of high-quality specialty coffee. Last year alone, the country produced 1.3 million dan of specialty-grade beans, 65% of which were shipped to international markets. Key destinations include Europe, Japan, the United States, and select Middle Eastern countries.

What’s the Outlook for Future Production?

The outlook isn’t all bleak. The National Coffee Board expects both output and exports to begin recovering by 2025. While 2024 will be another down year, the long-term commitment to managing rust disease and maintaining organic and specialty production standards could help stabilize the sector in the coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee did Peru produce in 2023?

Peru produced 5.2 million dan (each equal to 46kg) of coffee in 2023, according to the National Coffee Board. That figure is set to drop by 8% in 2024.

What is causing Peru’s coffee production to decline?

The main cause is an ongoing outbreak of coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix), a fungal disease that damages coffee tree foliage, reduces yield, and impacts bean quality. The disease has been affecting plantations for multiple consecutive years.

How important is Peru in the global specialty coffee market?

Peru is the world’s largest exporter of high-quality specialty coffee. In the previous year, it produced 1.3 million dan of specialty-grade beans, exporting 65% of that total to markets such as Europe, Japan, the United States, and the Middle East.

How much coffee did Peru export in terms of revenue recently?

In 2011, Peru earned $1.6 billion from coffee exports. By 2023, that figure had dropped to an estimated $650 million due to lower production and falling prices.

Will Peru’s coffee output recover soon?

The National Coffee Board forecasts that both production and exports will begin to rebound in 2025, following several years of decline due to leaf rust and other challenges.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Rust-Affected Origins

If you’re following global coffee supply issues like Peru’s rust-related decline, try these single-origin picks that highlight stable, high-quality regions. FrontStreet’s Brazil Queen Manor offers a naturally processed Yellow Bourbon with intense sweetness and a creamy body, ideal as a balanced base in blends or for single-origin pour-overs. For brighter acidity and clean fruit, their Colombia Huila is a reliable washed coffee with notes of chocolate and mild citrus. Both beans reflect the kind of stable growing practices and consistent profiles that coffee pros appreciate when origin supplies fluctuate. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.