Tag: Mexico Coffee

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service forecasts Mexico coffee production for marketing year 2026/2027 at 4.1 million green bean equivalent bags, a 1 percent increase from the previous year. This marginal growth is driven by sustained investment following two years of favorable market prices and the continued expansion of robusta production.

Mexican coffee production consists of 85 percent arabica and 15 percent robusta. The three main producing states are Chiapas, Veracruz, and Puebla, which together account for more than 80 percent of national output.

Production outlook by region

Chiapas is forecast to remain the top coffee-producing state by volume in MY 2026/2027. Puebla is expected to have the highest yields at 13 green bean equivalent bags per hectare, more than double the national average. This exceptional performance is due to favorable soil conditions, investments in leaf-rust resistant plants, and infrastructure near major cities. Veracruz ranks as the second highest yielding state.

Despite a decline from 2025 peaks, coffee prices in early 2026 continue to trend well above historical averages. According to the International Coffee Organization, arabica prices averaged 331 US cents per pound as of March 2026, which is 40 percent above the ten-year average.

This extended period of profitability has enabled producers in Chiapas, Veracruz, and Puebla to reinvest in farm management. Growers have increased plant density, input application, and quality control measures. The adoption of new varieties resistant to coffee leaf rust is forecast to continue growing the sector without expanding planted area.

Robusta expansion

Mexico is expanding robusta production due to its resilience against disease, ability to thrive in lower-altitude climates, and demand from large soluble coffee processors. According to industry contacts, large-scale processors have prioritized local sourcing. They provide robusta farmers with contract agreements and price stability. The main producer of robusta is Chiapas, followed by Veracruz, Puebla, and Oaxaca.

For MY 2025/2026, production is estimated at 4 million green bean equivalent bags, a 4 percent increase over the previous year. This growth is driven by recovery from heat waves that affected robusta fields in MY 2024/2025. Increased investment in both robusta and arabica management, enhanced pre- and post-harvest practices, and selective harvesting to secure higher quality and market premiums have also contributed.

Domestic consumption trends

Coffee consumption is forecast at 3.2 million green bean equivalent bags for MY 2026/2027, an increase of 1 percent from the previous year. This slight growth is attributed to expansion in retail coffee shops and chains, as well as changing consumption habits favoring premium coffee.

Convenience stores are increasing the availability of ready-to-drink coffee. Caffeine, a coffee company in northern Mexico, has entered a partnership with OXXO, the largest convenience store chain in Mexico. Caffeine produces, roasts, and supplies coffee for nearly all OXXO stores in Mexico and Colombia, ensuring high quality and fast coffee service across the chain network.

Mexico is also Starbucks’ largest market in Latin America and the Caribbean, and its seventh largest globally. With an expansion of approximately 70 new stores annually, the company plans to reach 1,000 stores in the country during 2026.

Major urban areas in Mexico are showing higher demand for high-quality, single-origin coffee. This has created new markets for premium coffee products such as capsules, cold brew, and specialty offerings. Microlots are growing in popularity to meet demand for unique sensory profiles and limited editions.

Online platforms in Mexico are increasing access to specialty coffee brands, single-origin beans, and subscription programs. This online channel enables small roasters to reach customers throughout the country, allowing customers to discover artisanal and responsibly sourced coffee products.

Despite growth in the premium sector, soluble coffee remains more practical and economical, covering approximately 60 percent of domestic consumption. Coffee tricycles, common in Mexico City and other cities, offer café de olla (roasted coffee prepared with cinnamon and sweetened), soluble coffee, and hot chocolate as an affordable and traditional alternative to coffee shops.

Export and import trends

Coffee exports for MY 2026/2027 are forecast at 3.4 million green bean equivalent bags, a decrease of 1 percent from the previous year. Gains in production are expected to satisfy domestic consumption, slightly reducing export volumes.

The United States remains the primary destination market for Mexican coffee in all forms. Exports to the United States reached 2.6 million green bean equivalent bags in 2025. Mexico primarily exports green bean and soluble coffee to the US market.

Coffee imports are forecast at 2.4 million green bean equivalent bags for MY 2026/2027, a decrease of 4 percent. This trend is driven by a forecasted rise in local robusta production, reducing the need for imported green beans. In 2025, the private sector announced various investment programs aimed at increasing coffee production capacity. As a result, Mexico is substituting soluble coffee imports with domestically manufactured products.

Government support programs

Mexico’s Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development operates several coffee-specific producer support programs. Production for Wellbeing provides direct financial support of 388 US dollars per producer per year. In 2026, a total of 181,364 producers participated, covering an area of 216,306 hectares.

Fertilizers for Wellbeing delivered 53,542 tons of fertilizer to 151,253 producers in 2026, benefiting an area of 165,984 hectares. This initiative seeks to enhance soil fertility and boost productivity among coffee growers and is expected to expand in scope for 2026.

Café Bienestar, managed by the Secretariat of Wellbeing, aims to distribute affordable coffee through the country network of Bienestar stores. The program buys coffee from producers in Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, and Guerrero and processes it. This program is estimated to represent 3 to 4 percent of the total soluble coffee market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee will Mexico produce in 2026/2027?
The USDA forecasts Mexico coffee production at 4.1 million green bean equivalent bags for MY 2026/2027, a 1 percent increase from the previous year.

Which states produce the most coffee in Mexico?
Chiapas, Veracruz, and Puebla are the three main coffee-producing states, together accounting for more than 80 percent of national production. Chiapas remains the top producer by volume.

What is the breakdown between arabica and robusta in Mexico?
Mexican coffee production consists of 85 percent arabica and 15 percent robusta. Robusta production is expanding due to its disease resistance and demand from soluble coffee processors.

How is coffee leaf rust affecting Mexican production?
Following years of widespread coffee leaf rust outbreaks, producers have gradually transitioned to replanting arabica rust-resistant varieties. These plants are in early growth stages and are expected to create a more resilient sector.

What is the coffee consumption trend in Mexico?
Domestic consumption is forecast at 3.2 million bags, a 1 percent increase. Soluble coffee covers approximately 60 percent of consumption, while premium and specialty coffee segments are growing rapidly.

Who is the primary buyer of Mexican coffee?
The United States remains the primary destination market for Mexican coffee exports, receiving 2.6 million green bean equivalent bags in 2025.