Category Archives: Import/Export

Economy, Import/Export, Peru

Is Peru Firing Shots in the Currency Wars?

The Peruvian Sol

In today’s Gestion is an article regarding comments by Eduardo Amorrortu of Peru’s Association of Exporters, who says the Peruvian Sol needs to fall further in order to remain competitive.

While Brazil and Columbia currencies have fallen considerably more than Peru (Brazil 2.66 vs dollar at the beginning of the year- now 3.51, Columbia then 2377.50 – now 2960.89, both had fallen double digits before as well.)

The Peruvian Sol started the year at 2.985 vs the dollar (at this writing 3.23, having fallen even more since the China devaluation.)

As each exporting nation seeks to gain an advantage (which ultimately no one can,) China has fired the latest salvo in the recent devaluation, but already there are calls to respond:
Continue reading Is Peru Firing Shots in the Currency Wars? →

Chocolate, Import/Export, Peru

Peru aspires to join the select cocoa market

Via Gestion Peru:

Exports of fine aromatic cocoa from Peru have been growing at an annual rate of 22.5%, according to Jose Iturrios of Alliance Cacao Peru.

New opportunities in the international market for fine aromatic cocoa involve diversifying product supplier countries, and Peru aims to become one of the leading producers of this sector, but must keep up the competitive standards and quality in production, said José Iturrios, national director of the Alliance Cacao Peru.
Continue reading Peru aspires to join the select cocoa market →

Curibamba, Import/Export, Peru

Tarapoto to Villa Rica – A Long Strange Coffee Trip (Part 2)

 

This is Part 2 (Part 1 here) of our trip from Tarapoto to Villa Rica, and then onto San Ramon (and then to Lima.) In search of specialty coffee, and to participate in the Curibamba Coffee workshops for growers in the communities above San Ramon Peru.
Continue reading Tarapoto to Villa Rica – A Long Strange Coffee Trip (Part 2) →

Coffee, Import/Export, Peru, Travel

Tarapoto to Villa Rica – A Long Strange Coffee Trip (Part 1)

 

The last week or so had been a series of trips to internet cafes & “locutorios” (where one can make phone calls.) In between the details of organizing a coffee buy, we did manage to enjoy one of favorite places in the world – Tarapoto.

It’s been somewhat frustrating to try and post on the blog. I picked up some malware in one café, and was afraid to log on and compromise the site.

Alas, duty calls and we’re off again (and off the computer again too.) We left Tarapoto in order to get to Villa Rica, and the Chacra D’dago to get some more samples and confirm our final order there, meet some new potential suppliers, and make our way to San Ramon for the second series of Curibamba Workshops this weekend. We’re also making arrangements for the distribution of solar coffee drying tents to the growers in the Curibamba Coffee Project.

It’s a two day journey via land, and there isn’t really any airport option short of flying back to Lima, and then flying to Jauja, which is still several hours to Villa Rica by bus or car. (As an afterthought – flying would have been worth it!) We’re finalizing our purchase of some wonderful coffees that we’ve tested, and visit with our friends, and make some new ones. 

(For more on Tarapoto see here, for more on Chacra D’dago, see here.)

 Here’s what it’s like to travel in Peru to the more remote provinces: Continue reading Tarapoto to Villa Rica – A Long Strange Coffee Trip (Part 1) →

Coffee, Import/Export, Peru

Peruvian Coffee Exports Down in April

 From an article in Gestion Peru: (Via Google Translate & authors correction)

Peruvian coffee exports totaled 40,371 bags in April, down 9.7% from the 44.685 bags of the same month last year, according to the Peruvian Chamber of Coffee and Cacao.

In the first four months of the year, exports fell 64% to 160,584 from 443,481 bags in the same period of 2014, said Luis Navarro, president of the group based in Lima. Each bag weighs 60 kg or 132 lbs.

According to figures from the Chamber, shipments in 2015 showed the slowest pace since at least 2005.

They (exports) experienced a drop amid low stocks remaining from the previous season, while the rains delayed the harvest that began last month and usually reaches its peak in July.

Peru is the third largest coffee producer in South America, after Brazil and Colombia.

Source: Exportaciones peruanas de café (Gestion via Google Translate) 

Continue reading Peruvian Coffee Exports Down in April →

Coffee, Import/Export, Peru

Real People, Really Good Coffee May 2015

 

Parchment Coffee beans

It’s May and in Peru it is the beginning of the coffee harvest season. Soon, we’ll be heading to Lima and from there to the eastern Andes & the rainforests of Chanchamayo. It’s exhilarating and exciting, yet fraught with uncertainties and that uncomfortable background feeling that one gets when faced with the unknown.

We’re still uncertain how many of the small communities of growers were affected by the massive flooding this year & how the coffee quality will be this year. (see Torrential Rains & Mudslides Continue to Plague Peru.)
Continue reading Real People, Really Good Coffee May 2015 →

Coffee, Food, Import/Export, Peru, Sustainable Farming

Coffee & Farming News from Peru

 

Carrying the Coffee

Here’s an update on some recent articles that I’ve seen on farming & coffee production in Peru. This year Peru is slowly climbing back from the coffee rust which decimated production in 2012. Even last year, coffee production was still less than half of 2011.

The dollar has risen considerable vs the Peruvian Sol (currently S./ 3.14 to $1 USD.) Export prices are down, so there should be a good market, but with coffee prices low, it will be a hard year for many & difficult to cover costs.

In the farming country in the south of the country there have been clashes between police and protesters over a proposed copper mine, meanwhile the government is providing fertilizer and aid in other areas.

Continue reading Coffee & Farming News from Peru →

Coffee, Import/Export, Sustainable Farming

Real People, Really Good Coffee – Ron Cortez, Cortez Coffee Company

Cortez Coffee Academy and Roasterie

 

Our coffee travels lead us to meet some of the most interesting and helpful people in the trade. Ron Cortez of the Cortez Coffee Company in  Tempe, Arizona has an amazing story & Ron is  extremely supportive of our work with Peruvian farmers. Here’s more about this true coffee hero.
Continue reading Real People, Really Good Coffee – Ron Cortez, Cortez Coffee Company →