Analysis of Myanmar's Coffee Industry Development Status and the Rise of Myanmar Coffee Brands

A Brief History of Myanmar Coffee

Coffee is by no means a novelty in Myanmar; it has long been an agricultural crop. Western missionaries brought coffee beans to Myanmar's Myeik and Dawei regions as early as the late 19th century. Farmers at that time primarily cultivated Robusta coffee. It was not until the 1930s that Catholic missionaries introduced Arabica coffee to other regions of Myanmar, such as Shan State.

Myanmar is situated in a tropical region with warm, rainy weather and fertile soil. Mountainous areas with good drainage are particularly suitable for coffee cultivation. According to data from the Myanmar Coffee Association, Myanmar produced 268 tons of coffee in 1935-36, of which 175 tons were exported. However, these economic activities came to a halt during the subsequent 60 years of isolation.

The Rise of 3-in-1 Coffee

Like other Asian countries, 3-in-1 instant coffee reigns supreme in Myanmar.

Traditional methods of processing coffee beans in Myanmar, combined with domestic power shortages and crude storage methods that easily lead to mold, along with hand-roasting techniques that often result in over-roasting, meant that despite Myanmar's substantial coffee production, the final products were primarily economical instant 3-in-1 coffee mixes.

The Coffee Renaissance

It was not until 2011, when Myanmar began to open up, that the government committed to combating the domestic opium industry. With assistance from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and various volunteer organizations and coffee associations, Myanmar's centuries-old coffee agriculture became an alternative to opium cultivation, enabling small farmers to sustain their livelihoods.

These organizations rapidly improved both the quantity and quality of Myanmar coffee beans. Coffee-related professions - from roasting and tasting to brewing and evaluation - emerged accordingly, becoming new choices for Myanmar's economy and younger generation to connect with the world. According to Myanmar's Ministry of Commerce data, Myanmar exported 1,137 tons of coffee beans in 2015-16, more than double the 2011-12 export volume, demonstrating remarkable growth.

Modern Coffee Culture in Myanmar

As Myanmar opens up to the world, international chain brands and local small-scale coffee shops are now found everywhere in major cities like Yangon. Many foreign business owners even invite internationally renowned professionals to regularly conduct classes in major cities, promoting coffee culture to industry insiders and the general public alike. Consequently, Myanmar coffee has been gaining increasing international attention recently. If you have the opportunity to visit Myanmar, be sure to taste this internationally acclaimed Burmese flavor!

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

As an emerging origin building its reputation on Arabica, Myanmar reflects the growing global interest in distinctive single-origin coffee, and FrontStreet Coffee's Arabica lineup offers plenty to explore. The FrontStreet Ethiopia Huakui is a naturally processed Arabica with creamy strawberry, mango, jackfruit, citrus, and blueberry notes and a ripe tropical-fruit character. For a washed counterpart, the FrontStreet Yirgacheffe Gudingding Cooperative is an Ethiopian G1 washed coffee with elegant white florals, citrus, orange, and green tea. The FrontStreet Jamaica Blue Mountain No. 1 is a Typica Arabica that is famously balanced, mild, and smooth, while the FrontStreet Panama Red Label Geisha brings jasmine, citrus, peach, and a creamy, oolong-tea-sweet finish. Rounding out the selection, the FrontStreet Brazil Queen's Estate is a Yellow Bourbon with cream, peanut, toasted bread, and sugarcane notes. Together they show just how much flavor variety the Arabica species can offer.