Bolivia
Bolivia produces mostly natural arabica coffee. During shortage periods, coffee is consumed only locally. The natural coffee is very irregular and filled with fermentations. The washed coffee, on the other hand, is prepared carefully and is presented well.
Café Femenino origin
The total production of Bolivia, in 2007, is of 139.000 bags. A light decrease in 2008 brings the total production of the country to 136.000 bags.
Brazil
Brazil is the first producer natural Arabica coffee (not washed). The country as well produces beans of bad quality coming from large plantations as well as excellent beans like the Bourbon and the bourbon santos, which grow in rich and mountainous grounds. Today, Brazil produces also quality such as Cohillon (Brazilian robusta).The Brazilian Arabica, cultivated in high altitude, satisfies the major part of the world demand. Other qualities, such as Paranà and Rio, are very on demand and exported especially in Balkans.
Café Femenino origin
Altitude of the cultures: 200 to 1000 meters.
Period of harvest: June to August
In 2007, Brazil produced 36.070.000 bags. In increase of 11.000.000 of bags, the production of 2008, all varieties together, is of 45.992.000 bags.
Colombia
Colombia occupies the second place in the world, right after Brazil, in regards of volumes of coffee production. The country is however first in regards of quality. It produces a washed Arabica which is the result of assiduous care and of organization of the production, gathered of federation since 1927 (the mission being of paying a fair price to the owners). The logo -- Juan Valdes and its mule -- identifies and guarantees the production and the source. All these factors ensure the Colombian coffee a very high level of quality. The machinery imported to the country is subjected to a antibacterial treatment to avoid all risks of contamination that could damage the cultures. There are so many different cultivated varieties that the governement decided to join them together under the initials M.A.M. (Medellin, Armenia, Manizales -- three principal centers of coffee production). The Medellin variety is the best for its body and its acidity. The Armenia is a little lighter, but excellent for its flavour. The Colombian Vintage quality is particularly important, because it can be preserved eight years out of the warehouse before being roasted. Other qualities of distinction are the following ones: Bucaramenga, Miraflores, Neiva, Popayan, Excelso and Suprimo.
Café Femenino origin
Altitude of the cultures: 800 to 1900 meters.
Period of harvest: three quarters of the harvest is done between April and June; the last quarter is between October and January.
In 2007, Colombia produced 12.515.000 bags. The production significantly fell in 2008 with a total of 10.500.000 bags.
Ecuador
Altitude of the cultures: 450 to 1800 meters.
Consecutively, from 2005 to 2007, the production of coffee in Ecuador was above the bar of the million bags (total production, in 2007, is of 1.110.000 bags). The production in 2008 was cut in half with a total harvest of 691.000 bags, the lowest production since 2000.
Peru
Peru is a good natural and washed Arabica producer. The major part of the production is used for the preparation of flavoured coffees, mostly loved by Americans. Best qualities come from the Andes, like Chanchamayo or Urubamba, generally round, aromatic and with good length in mouth. Peru entered recently on the export market, since the coffee production in Eastern Peru is growing.
First Café Femenino origin
Altitude of the cultures: 700 to 2000 meters.
Period of harvest: April to September for washed coffees; June to October for the natural coffees.
With a strong peak of production in 2006, total production adding up to 4.319.000 bags, the production decreases, in 2007, with 3.063.000 bags. It tends to go up in 2008, with a total of 3.868.000 bags.
Venezuela
The coffee is present in Venezuela since 1784. The local coffees are called Maracaibo and are subdivided in several varieties: Meridas, Caracas, Caracas Blue. The varieties Cucuta, Merida, Trujillo and Tachira are considered as the best regarding quality. Each of them gives a soft, delicate coffee, with a light taste, some of the most appreciated in the world.
The production in Venezuela Arabica coffee is, in general, in the 700.000 bags. Since 2006, the bar of the 800.000 bags was reached; the production of 2007 adds up 899.000 bags and that of 2008, 880 000 bags.