Jamaica Cracks Down on Fake Blue Mountain Coffee

In recent years, Jamaican coffee farmers have watched helplessly as fake "Blue Mountain" coffee flooded their domestic market. So widespread was the fraud that in 2010, their earnings dropped below 2006 levels. Even non-Blue-Mountain coffee, whose prices had nearly returned to 2008 figures, saw export revenues plunge to just 46% of those in 2008. The damage wasn’t just financial—it was reputational. Consumers couldn’t trust what they were buying, even in Jamaica.

The short answer? Since September 1, 2011, Jamaica’s Coffee Industry Board (CIB) has enforced strict measures to remove all counterfeit and unlicensed "100% Blue Mountain Coffee" from shelves—both in Jamaica and abroad—to ensure the global and local markets receive the same certified quality.

What Is Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee—Really?

Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee refers to coffee grown in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, within a strictly defined altitude range (roughly 3,000 to 5,500 feet). It is renowned worldwide for its mild flavour, lack of bitterness, and clean cup profile. But its prestige also makes it a prime target for fraud. Not every coffee labelled “Blue Mountain” is the real deal—and in Jamaica, counterfeit versions have long undermined both price and reputation.

Why the Fraud Crisis Hit Jamaican Farmers Hard

Fake Blue Mountain coffee isn’t just misleading buyers—it’s directly harming the livelihoods of Jamaican coffee farmers. In 2010, domestic sales were swamped with low-quality beans masquerading as premium Blue Mountain, dragging down prices. The average farmer earned less in 2010 than in 2006. Meanwhile, although the price of non-Blue-Mountain coffee almost recovered to 2008 levels, overall export income sank to just 46% of 2008 figures. The difference? Trust. And the widespread mislabelling of coffee as something it wasn’t.

How Jamaica Is Fighting Back: The 2011 Crackdown

To restore confidence and protect the integrity of its flagship product, Jamaica’s Coffee Industry Board launched a decisive campaign starting September 1, 2011. The initiative targeted two key problems: (1) counterfeit "100% Blue Mountain Coffee" being sold in Jamaica, and (2) unauthorised use of the Blue Mountain name by brands not licensed by the CIB. Under the crackdown, all such fraudulent or unlicensed coffee was ordered removed from store shelves nationwide. The goal? To guarantee that what’s sold as Blue Mountain in Jamaica meets the same exacting standards required for export.

Who Can Legally Sell Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee?

Only authorised dealers licensed by Jamaica’s Coffee Industry Board (CIB) can legally sell genuine Blue Mountain Coffee. These licensed dealers include:

• Blue Mahoe Estates Limited
• Blue Mountain Coffee Venture Limited
• Bankra Buys
• Coffee Roasters Limited
• Coffee Traders Limited
• Coffee Solutions
• City of Refuge Children's Home
• Corner Mountain Coffee
• Colin's Coffee Hut
• Durham Peak Coffee
• Greenwich Mountain Coffee Estate
• Gold Cup Coffee Company Limited
• Mavis Bank Coffee Factory
• Wallenford Coffee Company Limited
• Jamaica Standard Products Co Limited
• Kew Park Coffee Estate
• Peekay's Wholesale
• Island Coffees Limited
• Marley Coffee
• Old Tavern
• Jamaica UCC Blue Mountain Coffee Co
• Japan Caribbean Trading
• Plantation Associates
• Wataru Blue Mountain

These are the only businesses legally permitted to distribute Blue Mountain Coffee under CIB oversight—both in Jamaica and for export.

Why This Matters to Coffee Drinkers Everywhere

If you’ve ever bought Blue Mountain coffee—especially outside Jamaica—you’ve likely encountered fakes. The 2011 crackdown was designed not just to protect Jamaican farmers, but to ensure that every consumer who pays a premium for Blue Mountain Coffee actually gets the real thing: a coffee grown at high altitude in the Blue Mountains, processed to exacting standards, and certified by the Jamaican Coffee Industry Board. Without these controls, you risk buying an overpriced imitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee?

Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is a specialty coffee grown at elevations between 3,000 and 5,500 feet in Jamaica’s Blue Mountain region. It’s known for its mild, smooth flavour, low acidity, and lack of bitterness. Due to its limited growing area and strict quality controls, it’s one of the most prestigious and expensive coffees in the world.

Why are there so many fake Blue Mountain coffees?

Fraudulent Blue Mountain coffee exists because the real thing commands very high prices. Unscrupulous sellers label lower-quality or entirely different coffees as “Blue Mountain” to mislead consumers and charge premium prices. This has been especially rampant in Jamaica’s domestic market and in international markets with less regulation.

How can I tell if my Blue Mountain coffee is real?

Authentic Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee comes with certification from the Jamaican Coffee Industry Board (CIB). Only licensed dealers—listed officially by the CIB—can sell it. Look for proof of CIB certification, proper labelling, and check that your seller is on the official list of licensed distributors. Packaging should also include origin details and batch traceability.

When did Jamaica start cracking down on fake Blue Mountain coffee?

Jamaica’s Coffee Industry Board began its official crackdown on September 1, 2011, targeting unlicensed and counterfeit Blue Mountain coffee sold both domestically and internationally. The goal was to remove all fraudulent products from shelves and ensure consistent quality and labelling standards.

What happened to Jamaica’s coffee farmers before the crackdown?

Before the 2011 crackdown, Jamaican coffee farmers suffered significant losses. By 2010, their incomes had fallen below 2006 levels due to widespread domestic counterfeiting. Though non-Blue-Mountain coffee prices had nearly recovered to 2008 levels, export revenues had dropped to just 46% of what they were in 2008, largely due to lost trust and market confusion.

Where can I buy real Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee?

You can buy genuine Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee only from authorised CIB-licensed dealers. These include companies like Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, Wallenford Coffee Company Limited, and others officially recognised by the Jamaica Coffee Industry Board. Outside Jamaica, purchase only from importers or roasters who provide clear CIB certification and traceability.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Blue Mountain Fans

For coffee lovers drawn to the clean, mild profile of Jamaica Blue Mountain, FrontStreet Coffee offers several excellent single-origin options. Their Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 comes from the historic Clifton Estate at elevations around 4,300 feet, delivering a refined cup with notes of chocolate sweetness, gentle acidity, and full body. For something comparably smooth yet complex, try their Yirgacheffe, known for floral brightness and citrus elegance, or their Ethiopia Humbera, which offers delicate fruitiness and tea-like clarity. All are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.