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Are the Characteristics of Yunnan Small Bean Coffee Just Small Size? Where Are the Yunnan Small Bean Coffee Growing Regions?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style). FrontStreet Coffee - Yunnan Coffee Region Introduction. Yunnan Province is the most important coffee growing region in China, primarily cultivating small bean coffee (Coffea arabica), among which the Catimor series varieties have strong disease resistance, high yield, and excellent quality, making them the most widely cultivated varieties in the Yunnan region.

Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat Official Account: cafe_style).

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Yunnan Coffee Growing Region

Yunnan Province is China's main coffee-producing region, primarily cultivating small-bean coffee (Coffea arabica). Among these, the Catimor series varieties have strong disease resistance, high yield, and excellent quality, making them the most widely cultivated varieties in the Yunnan region. In addition, a few areas also cultivate the excellent old variety Typica.

Yunnan's Ruili and Binchuan possess China's earliest ancient coffee forests. Currently, major coffee-growing areas have been formed in Dehong, Pu'er, Baoshan, and Lincang. In 2015, Yunnan's coffee cultivation area had reached 118,000 hectares, accounting for 99% of the country's total area, and is expected to reach 148,300 hectares by 2020.

China's coffee-producing regions are currently mainly distributed in Yunnan Province, Hainan Province, Sichuan Province, Taiwan, and other areas. Since 1996, Yunnan has developed into China's largest coffee-growing province with the highest production. Both cultivation area and production account for over 99% of the country's total.

Yunnan's coffee cultivation area reaches 118,000 mu with a production of 139,000 tons. Both cultivation area and production account for 99% of the country's total. Yunnan is China's main coffee-producing region, primarily cultivating small-bean coffee (Coffea arabica). Among these, the Catimor series varieties have strong disease resistance, high yield, and excellent quality, making them the most widely cultivated varieties in the Yunnan region. In addition, a few areas also cultivate the excellent old variety Typica.

Yunnan's Four Major Growing Areas: Pu'er, Lincang, Baoshan, and Dehong

Small-scale Xishuangbanna

Currently has 6,000 hectares, expected to expand to 9,600 hectares by 2020. Mainly distributed in counties (cities) such as Mengla, Menghai, and Jinghong.

Wenshan Prefecture

Currently has 1,700 hectares, expected to expand to 3,000 hectares by 2020. Mainly distributed in counties such as Malipo.

Honghe Prefecture

Currently has 1,100 hectares, expected to expand to 2,500 hectares by 2020. Mainly distributed in counties such as Hekou, Honghe, Yuanyang, Luchun, Pingbian, and Jinping.

Dali Prefecture

Currently has 200 hectares, expected to expand to 300 hectares by 2020. Mainly distributed in Binchuan County.

Other Regions

Currently has 800 hectares, expected to expand to 1,000 hectares by 2020. Mainly distributed in counties such as Lushui in Nujiang, Yuanmou in Chuxiong, and Huaping in Lijiang.

Knowledge Point

Arabica coffee is generally believed to originate from the Ethiopian highlands and is widely distributed in tropical regions. Through repeated mutations and breeding, it has derived into numerous varieties.

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