Introduction to Coffee Growing Regions, Varieties, and Industry Development in Myanmar, Asia

When Myanmar is mentioned, many people might think of northern Myanmar's online fraud, internal conflicts, and turmoil. However, few people know about coffee cultivation in the region. Today, FrontStreet Coffee will take everyone to explore this niche coffee-producing origin.

Myanmar

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is a Southeast Asian country bordering the Myanmar Sea to the southwest, India and Bangladesh to the northwest, China to the northeast, and connecting with Thailand and Laos to the southeast. With a land area of 676,578 square kilometers, Myanmar boasts diverse geographical features.

The Myanmar flag is rectangular, composed of three horizontal stripes of equal width - yellow, green, and red from top to bottom. In the center of the flag is a large white five-pointed star that covers the three-colored bands and points upward. Yellow represents unity, wisdom, joy, and the close solidarity of all ethnic groups. Green symbolizes fertile land, harmony, tranquility, and the lush national landscape. Red represents courage and decisiveness, while the white five-pointed star stands for purity, integrity, friendliness, and strength.

Myanmar is a country with both land and sea territories, featuring a 3,200-kilometer coastline. The terrain is higher in the north and lower in the south, surrounded by mountains in the north, west, and east. The northern region consists of high mountains, with the Naga Hills and Rakhine Mountains in the west, and the Shan Plateau in the east. Mount Hkakabo Razi, near the Chinese border, stands at 5,881 meters above sea level as the country's highest peak. Between the western mountains and eastern plateau lies the Irrawaddy River alluvial plain with low and flat terrain.

Myanmar has a tropical monsoon climate. Most of the country lies south of the Tropic of Cancer in the tropical zone, while a small portion north of the Tropic of Cancer is in the subtropical zone. Summers are hot and humid with rainy seasons from June to September, while winters from December to April are dry and mild. The diverse topography of hills, valleys, and mountains, combined with hot days and cool nights, creates an excellent ecological environment with fewer natural disasters, providing ideal conditions for coffee cultivation.

Coffee-Producing Regions

In the late 19th century, British colonists invaded and controlled the country. In the 1930s, Catholic missionaries brought coffee to northern Myanmar's Shan State and began coffee cultivation. However, it wasn't until the 1980s, when the local government collaborated with the United Nations on a project "aimed at replacing illegal poppy production (used for opium) with coffee trees," that the coffee industry truly began to develop.

Most coffee produced in Shan State is grown by small farmers, with the majority cultivating less than one hectare. Approximately 80% of the coffee grown is Arabica for export, while 20% is Robusta, mostly for domestic consumption. Common varieties include Caturra, Catimor, Bourbon, Typica, S795, and SL34. Harvested cherries are sent to processing stations for processing after picking and sorting.

Coffee cultivation in Myanmar is mainly concentrated in the Nawnghkio, Yaksawk, and Pindaya regions of Shan State Province, as well as the Pyin Oo Lwin region of Mandalay Province. Additionally, coffee cultivation has recently begun in Chin State, Bago Province, the Thandangi region, and Pindaya region.

Shan State Province

Located in northern Myanmar, Shan State borders Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China, and is the largest and most populous state in Myanmar. Most of the region is surrounded by the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and is home to one of Asia's longest rivers, the Salween River. Coffee cultivation occurs at altitudes between 800-1,800 meters.

Mandalay Province

This province is located in central Myanmar and features a diverse landscape combining plateau mountainous regions, plains, and hilly forestland. With its varied climate and fertile soil provided by extinct volcanoes, it is highly suitable for agricultural cultivation. Most coffee is grown at altitudes between 900-2,000 meters.

Current Status of the Coffee Industry

Currently, Myanmar is continuously developing its coffee industry. In 2024, it expanded its coffee cultivation base by 279,000 acres (approximately 170,000 Chinese acres). Future expansion plans will help Myanmar's coffee cultivation area expand to 300,000 acres (approximately 1.82 million Chinese acres), significantly increasing local coffee production within five years.

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