Why Source from Honduras?

Our founder, Wilmer, was born and raised in Honduras, where he lived until his early 20s before moving to the Cayman Islands. With a deep-rooted family history in coffee farming and agriculture, he is passionate about the exceptional coffee produced in this mountainous and beautiful country. His vision is to improve the coffee market by empowering farmers, ensuring they receive fair recognition and support. By doing so, he aims to enhance the living conditions of farming communities and strengthen the economy as a whole.

Honduras is emerging as one of the top coffee producing countries, offering high altitudes, diverse microclimates and innovative processing techniques. It has a rich and diverse coffee farming model, deeply embedded in the country's heritage. Coffee production, exportation, and retail play a significant role in the economy and culture, making it a key origin for high-quality and unique coffee offerings. In the last 5 years, Honduras has reached new levels in terms of quality coffee production.

Learn more about the coffee of Honduras:

Coffee Regions of Honduras

Honduras is home to six key coffee-growing regions, each with its own unique characteristics:

• Copán (West): Stable quality, well-known region with a consistent coffee profile.

• Opalaca (Mid-West): High-altitude, remote, and dramatic growing conditions result in complex coffee profiles.

• Monticillos (North to South, Central Mountain Range): Includes Marcala, currently holding the prestigious Cup of Excellence award, known for complex and exceptional coffees.

• Comayagua (Central): High-volume coffee production, with elevation ranging from 600-1500m above sea level.

• El Paraíso (East, near Nicaragua): Produces vibrant, high-elevation coffee, particularly special in Parainema coffee.

• Agalta (Northeast): A unique and underdeveloped region with high-altitude mountain farms, focusing on large-scale specialty coffee production, some dating back over 50 years.

Innovations in Agricultural Processes

Over the past five years, Honduras has made significant advancements in coffee farming through:

• Precision Agriculture: The use of technology to monitor temperature, humidity, and other key farming conditions.

• Expanded Processing Methods:

  • Washed (previously predominant)

  • Natural

  • Yeast/Mould Fermentation

  • Honey Processing (Black/Red)

  • Experimental Fermentations (introducing fruits and other natural elements to enhance flavour complexity)

Honduras has successfully improved both the volume and quality of coffee production, overcoming previous challenges.

Main Coffee Varieties in Honduras

• Pacas & Bourbon: Traditional varieties with balanced acidity and a classic profile.

• Parainema & Lempira: Disease-resistant varieties developed in Honduras, offering bright and complex flavours. If farmed correctly, they deliver outstanding cup quality.

• Geisha: Adapted from Ethiopian varieties, known for floral jasmine and citrus-forward notes. Popular due to its exceptional quality and unique flavour profile.

Exporting and Importing Honduran Coffee

Honduran coffee is becoming more accessible, with better representation of exporters, aided by social media and digital platforms.

• Most transactions work on FOB (Free on Board) terms.

• Understanding the harvest cycle is essential for sourcing:

  • Main harvest: October to June (long cycle)

  • Low-elevation growers: Peak harvest in September-November

  • High-altitude, colder regions: Harvest extends up to June

• Logistics can be complex when consolidating coffee from multiple regions, so knowing the specific area of origin is crucial.

Market Trends for 2025

• Rising demand for micro-lots and experimental processing methods.

• Increased focus on quality and direct trade relationships.

• Growing number of female-led coffee farms, positioning Honduras ahead of global trends in women’s empowerment within the coffee sector (PRF Honduras).

• Technological advancements making production easier.

• A highly transparent market, celebrating the resilience of coffee farmers.

• Single-origin coffee in single-serve pod formats is gaining traction.

• Specialty coffee pricing is increasingly tied to quality, rather than the fluctuating market-driven commodity pricing model.

Competitive Advantages of Honduran Coffee

• Once regarded as producing only “average” coffee, Honduras has dramatically improved its quality over the last decade.

• Farmers have adopted advanced cultivation and picking techniques, ensuring high-quality output.

• Direct trade opportunities allow for stronger relationships between producers and buyers.

• Incentives for young farmers are encouraging a return to coffee-growing, ensuring the sustainability of the industry.

• Strategic location of ports makes export logistics more efficient.

• Adapting to the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR): Honduran coffee production is increasingly aligning with environmental sustainability, focusing on adapting coffee farming to the environment rather than altering the environment for coffee farming.

Summary

Honduras offers an exceptionally diverse range of coffee flavours, making it a standout producer in Central America. Beyond the high-quality coffee itself, it is the people—their dedication, heritage, and commitment to excellence—that make Honduran coffee truly special.

For businesses looking to source coffee that combines quality, sustainability, and innovation, Honduras is a top-tier origin worth exploring.