A Brief History of Myanmar's Coffee Industry Why is Myanmar Coffee Cheap? Myanmar Coffee Brand Recommendations

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In recent years, Myanmar's coffee industry has begun to emerge on the international stage through collaborative efforts between the Myanmar Agriculture Department, USAID, the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), and the country's hardworking coffee farmers. Nearly a century ago, when British missionaries introduced the first coffee trees from Costa Rica, Myanmar's coffee industry was like a newborn chick, yet it has now grown into a thriving industry with abundant yields. OGS works closely with Myanmar's specialty coffee producers, dedicated to providing high-quality Myanmar coffee beans to roasters to serve customers who wish to try different or new producing regions.

Myanmar's geographical location borders India, Bangladesh, and the Bay of Bengal to the west; China, Laos, and Thailand to the east; the Himalayan mountains to the north; and the Andaman Sea to the south. Few countries share borders with such culturally diverse neighbors.

A Brief History of Myanmar Coffee

1885: British missionaries planted the first coffee trees in Myanmar.

1936: Myanmar exported 95 tons of coffee.

1952: The S-795 coffee variety was introduced to the outskirts of Pyin Oo Lwin town in the Mandalay region.

1986: The Government of Myanmar (GOM) launched a national coffee cultivation program, importing T8667 and Catuai varieties from Costa Rica.

2015: With assistance from the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), Coffee Quality Institute (CQI), Winrock International, and USAID, Myanmar held its first national cupping competition in Yangon, significantly improving coffee quality from cultivation to post-processing methods.

2016: Myanmar coffee made its debut at the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) annual conference in Atlanta, USA.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), northern Myanmar possesses high-quality red soil plateaus and other soils above 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) altitude suitable for coffee tree growth, along with advantages such as 1,500 to 2,500 centimeters (59 to 79 inches) of evenly distributed rainfall and the distinct dry seasons necessary for coffee cultivation, demonstrating the potential to produce the maximum quantity of high-quality Arabica coffee.

Myanmar's Coffee Growing Environment

Cultivating and producing high-quality coffee requires consideration of several important environmental factors, including altitude and temperature, rainfall and water supply, soil, aspect, and slope.

Altitude

Altitude affects several key environmental factors, so when determining the ideal coffee growing environment, altitude should be considered a priority factor alongside temperature, rainfall and water supply, soil, aspect, and slope.

Arabica coffee must grow in regions above 1,000 meters altitude. The quality of low-altitude Arabica coffee does not meet global market requirements. Myanmar's coffee estates and micro-farms are typically located at elevations between 1,100 to 2,200 meters, with coffee in some remote areas such as Chin and Kachin states growing at altitudes of 2,800 meters.

Temperature

Arabica coffee prefers cool growing environments, with the most suitable daily average temperature ranging between 20-24°C (68-75°F), while Pyin Oo Lwin's average temperature is 19.7°C (67.5°F). If temperatures exceed 30°C (86°F), it may cause coffee tree photosynthesis to stop. Conversely, if average temperatures fall below 15°C (59°F), it will inhibit coffee tree growth, producing inferior coffee. Since Arabica coffee is highly susceptible to frost damage, proper use of tree shade must be employed to reduce potential damage.

Myanmar's Rainfall and Water Supply

The ideal rainfall for cultivating Arabica coffee is 1,200 to 1,500 centimeters (47 to 60 inches) annually, and both total rainfall and rainfall distribution patterns are equally important. Pyin Oo Lwin's annual rainfall is 1,400 centimeters (55 inches).

Shade Trees

Myanmar's coffee estates commonly use silver oak trees as shade trees. Besides providing wind protection, silver oak trees serve several other important functions. During dry climates, silver oak shade protects young coffee trees from drought stress and excessive sun exposure. Additionally, shade helps coffee trees achieve better balance during flowering and fruit development, and can reduce the probability of frost damage. Furthermore, fallen leaves and pruned branches from silver oak trees generate organic matter and nutrients, continuously providing abundant micronutrients necessary to maintain soil health.

Varieties

Several coffee varieties have been planted and tested in Myanmar's main coffee growing regions. Currently, the main cultivated varieties include: SL-34, S795, Catuai, and T8667.

T8667

Country: Costa Rica

Growth Habit: Short

Cupping Quality: Good, with herbal and fruit skin aromas

Notes: Large fruit and coffee beans

S795

Country: India

Growth Habit: Tall, upright, and open

Cupping Quality: Excellent overall performance with mocha flavor

Notes: Large fruit

Catuai

Country: Brazil, between Mundo Novo and Caturra

Growth Habit: Short, dwarf plant

Cupping Quality: Excellent coffee bean quality, good bean size

Notes: High-yield plant

SL-34

Country: Kenya (selected from French Mission)

Growth Habit: Tall, upright, and open

Cupping Quality: Known for excellent sweetness, balance, and complex acidity

Notes: Large fruit

Cultural Introduction

Myanmar's coffee growing areas are mostly hilly and tribal environments. The people working in coffee cultivation farms have lived and worked in these hilly environments for generations. Therefore, they inherently understand the region's land very well and know how to cultivate to achieve the most perfect production results. Perhaps because most Myanmar people center their lives around great temples, their simple lifestyle allows them to maintain cheerful and friendly natures.

Chemicals and Pesticides

Myanmar coffee contains no chemicals or pesticides. Farmers use natural fertilizers from cattle and chickens, while focusing on land sustainability. The Southern Shan State region, in particular, strictly prohibits the use of chemicals and pesticides.

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Important Notice :

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Tel:020 38364473