Peru
Identity record
Capital city
Lima Coffee area
425,416ha Average farm area
3.5ha Geography
Peru is located in the central and western part of South America (UTM N7970840.422; E552505.422; ZONE 18). It has a continental surface area of 1,285,216.60 km², which represents 0.87% of the planet, distributed as follows: coastal region 136,232.85 km² (10.6%), Andean region 404,842.91 km² (28.4%) and Amazon region 62% (782,880.55 km²). 880.55 km² ); the northern end of the Peruvian territory is at the Putumayo River at 0°02'00" south latitude, the southern end is at the seashore in Tacna (La Concordia point) at 18°21'03" south latitude; the eastern end is at the Heath River in Madre de Dios at 68°39'00" east longitude and the western end is at Caleta Punta Balcones in Pariñas, Talara, Piura at 81°19'35".
The Peruvian Sea or Sea of Grau is the part of the Pacific Ocean that extends along the Peruvian coast for an extension of 3080 km.1 and a width of 200 miles offshore. Its great ichthyological richness is the result of the Humboldt and El Niño sea currents. Its sovereign sea has a maritime area of 991,194.97 km², being a country with a great hydrological potential.
The highest peak in Peru is the Huascaran in the Cordillera Blanca, with an altitude of 6768 masl; the lowest area is the Sechura depression at -34 m.b.a.s.l. the deepest valley is the Cotahuasi Canyon, even surpassing the famous Colorado Canyon; the longest river in Peru is the Ucayali River (tributary of the Amazon River with 1771 km in length; the highest navigable lake in the world is Lake Titicaca in Puno/Peru with 8380 km² and the largest island of the Peruvian coast is the San Lorenzo Island in Callao with 16.48 km². It is the third largest country in South America.
Geologically, Peru is a young country in most of its territory. Forty-two percent of its surface, the Andean system and the coast, arose in the Mesozoic Era, between 130 and 65 million years ago, as a result of tectonic uplifts caused by the subduction of the Nazca plate into the South American plate.
It rises over a territory affected by subduction of the Nazca oceanic plate under the South American continental plate. The intensity of the clash between both masses produced, from the Tertiary Era onwards, the Andes mountain range, a spectacular and practically unique mountain system that structures the country in three very different geographic regions: coast, highlands and jungle.
Harvest period
May - November Number of coffee growers
230000 Number of people living from the coffee industry
890000 Number of harvests per year
1 Bag production per year
4000000 Main varieties
Bourbon, Catimor, Catuai, Caturra, Pache, Typica
Coffee production areas
Click on the area you want to observe
Amazonas
The Amazonas region is one of the 24 regions that make up Peru. Located in the north and bordering Ecuador, this region is home to a very rich ecosystem, low and high jungles "the Yungas", Andean ecosystems and a tropical dry forest. However, it is a tropical rainforest that predominates the territory to more than 70%, it extends from Ecuador to the peaks of the Cordillera del Condor. The roads are winding and few in number, which adds a little spice to the transport of our dear green beans. Fauna and flora are rich with many endemic birds and wild animals (hummingbird, puma, opossum, armadillo, monkey, catfish...). Unfortunately, this area of the Amazon is full of trees that can be exploited for their wood, such as mahogany, cedar, etc. Encouraging production under shade and preserving the forest areas seem to us to be a priority to protect this unique area.
Cajamarca
The region of Cajamarca is located in the north-east of Peru, in the Quechua region, at an altitude of between 2,300 and 3,500 metres above sea level. The relief is varied and undulating, due to the marked contrast between the mountain ranges of the Western Andes, known in this region as the "Andes del Chamaya", and the valleys and rivers of Huancabamba and Marañon.
The region enjoys one of the best climates of the Peruvian sierra departments, with a temperate, dry climate that is sunny during the day and cool at night. The average annual temperature is 16°C, with a rainy season from December to March.
The main economic resource is agriculture, with the production of rice, cocoa, corn and, of course, coffee. The largest coffee-producing provinces, Jaén and San Ignacio, are located between 900 and 1950 metres above sea level. The main varieties grown are Typica, Caturra and Bourbon. Cajamarca coffees are characterised by their sweetness, notes of red and yellow fruit and acidity.
Piura
The climate of the Piura region is ideal for growing coffee. Its dry climate, which is very cloudy at dawn, allows the plantations to flourish in the shade of endemic species and fruit trees, in an environment where agroforestry is widespread. Organic coffee is an emblematic product of this region, benefiting more than 16,000 coffee-growing families who cultivate around 8,350 hectares. The main varieties grown in Piura are Catimor, Caturra, Típica, Geisha, Bourbon, Caturi and Pache.
The region's climatic and geographical conditions are very favourable, allowing family farmers to grow a variety of coffee varieties using organic and agroforestry methods.
San Martin Jilotepeque
San Martín Jilotepeque which means "en el cerro del maíz tierno" it's a municipality of Chimaltenango department. In San Martín, more than 80% of the population belongs to indigenous ethnic groups, descendants of the Kaqchiquel kingdom. Its inhabitants are dedicated to commerce, the manufacture of crafts, typical weaving, agriculture and coffee cultivation.
Harvest periods
| Region | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazonas | ||||||||||||
| Cajamarca | ||||||||||||
| Piura | ||||||||||||
| San Martin Jilotepeque |
The coffee sector from the country
The sector
In Peru, coffee is produced in 210 rural districts located in 47 provinces of 10 departments. The area cultivated with coffee occupies 230,000 hectares distributed in three zones, being the most appropriate region to obtain the best yields with high quality the one located in the jungle zone, under a tropical ecology. Eighty-five percent of Peruvian producers have properties that fluctuate between 0.5 and 5 hectares. Coffee grows with relative ease from 600 to 1,800 meters above sea level in almost all geographical regions of Peru. However, 75% of the coffee plantations are above 1,000 meters above sea level. The diversity of combinations of climates, soils, precipitation and sunlight constitute a propitious scenario for the cultivation of coffee. Peruvian coffees are of the Coffea arabica type, with different flavor, aroma and acidity profiles. The varieties of coffee cultivated in Peru are Typica (70%), Caturra (20%) and others (10%). 90% of Peruvian coffee is grown under shade, with an average density of 2,000 plants per hectare. In accordance with current trends, some groups of Peruvian farmers have specialized and work in organic and other specialty coffees, recognized for their profile and peculiar characteristics such as cup quality, acidity and balanced flavor that adjusts very well to the microclimates, temperature and strict altitude.
Geography
Peru is located in the central and western part of South America. It has a continental area of 1,285,216.60 km², which represents 0.87% of the planet, distributed in coastal region 136,232.85 km² (10.6%), Andean region 404,842.91 km² (28.4%) and Amazon region 62% (782,880.55 km²).
The Peruvian Sea or Sea of Grau is the part of the Pacific Ocean that extends along the Peruvian coast for an extension of 3080 km1 and a width of 200 miles offshore. Its great ichthyological richness is the result of the Humboldt and El Niño sea currents. Its sovereign sea has a maritime area of 991,194.97 km², being a country with a great hydrological potential.
Peru's highest peak is the Huascarán in the Cordillera Blanca, with an altitude of 6768 masl; the lowest area is the Sechura depression at -34 m.b.s.l. the deepest valley is the Cotahuasi Canyon, surpassing even the famous Colorado Canyon; the longest river in Peru is the Ucayali River (tributary of the Amazon River with 1771 km in length; the highest navigable lake in the world is Lake Titicaca in Puno/Peru with 8380 km² and the largest island of the Peruvian coast is the San Lorenzo Island in Callao with 16.48 km². It is the third largest country in South America.
Main actors
Ministerio de Comercio Exterior y Turismo
Export Ports
Belco, Peru
The Colombia office and Andean Region (including Peru) was created in 2021. Today, it employs 5 people:
- Diego, General Manager & Sourcing
- Monica, R&D Director
- César, Quality Director
- Maria Silvia, Marketing & Commercial Support Manager
- Kevin, Lab Assistant
Having an agency at the origin is key for Belco. It allows :
- Direct and tailor-made sourcing
- Support for producers in agroforestry, organic transition, processes, etc.
- Improving the quality of locally produced coffees
- The implementation of innovative environmental and social projects.
- Double quality control
Sourcer's word
Our Belco Colombia team has developed activities that effectively and efficiently include everyone involved in the value chain, from the farm and producers through to coffee export. Our aim is to generate value and cultivate special relationships built on trust, that will develop and grow stronger over time. We have set up projects, programmes, training, coaching, knowledge-sharing initiatives, academic conferences, field visits, cuppings, internal (for our colleagues) and external (for our customers) visits in different regions, all in the name of Belco. 2021 has been a year rich in learning and experiences, which are helping us to develop our brand. Our branch is a useful platform for gaining a foothold in the Andean region, as a producer of specialty coffee in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela. Belco Colombia has been responsible for sourcing, quality and transition activities for these origins since 2022.
Diego Zamora, Belco Branch Manager in Armenia.
The producers
Esmerida H Pérez
Nicolas Chilcon
Coffees product in Peru
