Population (2015): 16.5 Million People
Coffee Production (2013): 666,000 bags (60 kg), 60% Arabica
Country bag capacity: 132 pounds
Domestic Consumption: 243,000 bags
Coffee Export: 423,000 bags
Cultivated Area: 200,000 Hectares (80,000 acres)
Harvest:
May to September varying by region
Specialty Coffees: Much of the coffee is produced by small producers with less than 10 acres (4 hectares).
Botanical Varietals: Typica, Bourbon, Caturra
Growing Regions: Loja Province in the south; Pinchincha in the north are the principle regions.
Comments
Ecuador, once part of Colombia, has all the natural attributes to produce superb coffee, notably location on or near the equator, significant elevation and volcanic soils. It is one of a limited number of countries producing both Arabica and Robusta coffee. While production is small Ecuador is poised to become a top quality origin in the near future and some great coffees are already beginning to be available.