{"id":59864,"date":"2025-08-14T11:27:01","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T16:27:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cafeimports.com\/blog\/?p=59864"},"modified":"2025-08-14T11:35:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T16:35:09","slug":"mexico-deep-dive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cafeimports.com\/europe\/blog\/2025\/08\/14\/mexico-deep-dive\/","title":{"rendered":"Mexico Deep Dive"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Raleway||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Mexico in Focus: A Breakout Year for Quality and Opportunity<\/h1>\n

By: Victor Pag\u00e1n<\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Quality in focus” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Raleway||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Quality in Focus: A Decade of Evolution, A Season of Arrival<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve always believed in the quality of Mexican coffee.<\/p>\n

Back in 2014, we hosted the\u00a0Lo Mejor de Mexico<\/em>\u00a0cupping competition in Jaltenango in an effort to find and highlight producers and regions that were quietly producing exceptional coffee, but hadn\u2019t yet found recognition on the international stage. That same year, we launched our\u00a0Regional Select Mexico\u00a0program to create a space for regional distinction and traceable excellence. Since then, we\u2019ve been deeply invested in Mexico\u2019s potential, attending every\u00a0Mexico Cup of Excellence\u00a0since its founding, and working side by side with producers across multiple regions.<\/p>\n

Across the country, we\u2019re seeing an undeniable step up in quality. Cup scores are climbing, consistency is tightening, and we\u2019re seeing more producers lean into processes like naturals, honeys, and anaerobics, resulting in a wide spectrum of profiles.<\/p>\n

This March, I traveled with\u00a0Senior Green Buyer Omar Herrera\u00a0to\u00a0Veracruz and Puebla, where we witnessed firsthand the momentum building on the ground. From well–<\/span> managed smallholder farms to innovative co-ops, the energy was palpable.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1110042133?fl=pl&fe=sh” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Raleway||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

That same spirit came through during a Mexico–<\/span> focused cupping we hosted at the\u00a0Cafe Imports Europe office in Berlin, in support of the 2025\u00a0Mexico Cup of Excellence. The table was one of the most dynamic we\u2019ve had in recent memory, featuring a wide range of varieties and processes. Longtime partners like\u00a0Alejandro Mart\u00ednez\u00a0and\u00a0Carlos Cadenas\u00a0stood out once again. Alejandro\u2019s\u00a0Anacaf\u00e9 14<\/span>\u00a0lot was a favorite and one we proudly purchase<\/span> in full.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1109131123″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”1a” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Raleway||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

But this resurgence in quality didn\u2019t happen overnight. It\u2019s the result of a long road back, particularly after the devastating outbreak of\u00a0Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR)\u00a0in 2012.<\/p>\n

CLR, caused by the fungus\u00a0Hemileia vastatrix<\/em>, spread rapidly through southeastern Mexico and Central America, leaving farms weakened and yields decimated. Easily identified by its powdery orange spots, the disease reduces a plant\u2019s ability to photosynthesize, and in the years following the outbreak,\u00a0Mexico\u2019s arabica crop losses were estimated between 10% and 55%, according to\u00a0CIFOR-ICRAF Forests News<\/a>. Climate change played a role, with rising minimum temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns contributing to the spread and making future outbreaks difficult to predict.<\/p>\n

While other countries rebounded more quickly,\u00a0Mexico faced a longer recovery, especially when it came to reclaiming the level of quality it was once known for. Many producers lacked access to disease-resistant varieties, agronomic resources, or financial support to renovate their farms.<\/p>\n

But today, that story is changing. Through continued replanting, stronger technical assistance, and a growing network of quality-focused producers and co-ops,\u00a0Mexico is showing strong signs of resurgence, not just in quantity, but in cup quality. The work is paying off.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cdn.cafeimports.com\/images\/Cafe_Imports_Mexico_Carlos_Cadena41.jpg” title_text=”Cafe_Imports_Mexico_Carlos_Cadena41″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cdn.cafeimports.com\/images\/Cafe_Imports_Mexico_Carlos_Cadena30.jpg” title_text=”Cafe_Imports_Mexico_Carlos_Cadena30″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Raleway||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Chichiquila Project:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the most exciting parts of our trip was visiting the community of\u00a0Chichiquila, Puebla, a region not historically known for coffee, but one we\u2019ve had our eye on for years. It was Senior Green Buyer\u00a0Piero Cristiani\u00a0who first noticed the potential. Chichiquila sits near the\u00a0Tropic of Cancer\u00a0and boasts elevations up to\u00a01,800 meters, creating the kind of cool microclimates that not only encourage slow cherry maturation but also\u00a0keep leaf rust practically nonexistent. Combine that with the region\u2019s rich soils, steep slopes, and traditional farming practices, and it\u2019s easy to see why it stood out.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cdn.cafeimports.com\/images\/DJI_20250305113938_0158_D.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Raleway||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Today, we work in Chichiquila through a partnership with\u00a0Cari Coffee\u00a0and\u00a0AMSA, and the progress we witnessed this year was remarkable. Here are some of the things happening:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • There are\u00a050 producers\u00a0in the project.<\/li>\n
  • They\u00a0preserve traditional varieties, while also planting\u00a0varieties like Gesha (2,500 plants per hectare for a specialized plot).<\/li>\n
  • Producers are deeply engaged in\u00a0regenerative agriculture.<\/li>\n
  • They receive\u00a0ongoing training, inputs, seedlings, and organic fertilizers as part of a technical assistance program.<\/li>\n
  • Many of them are\u00a0forward-thinking and innovative, eager to experiment and improve.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The producers we met are working not just for this year\u2019s harvest, but for a sustainable, long-term future, both for their land and their communities.<\/p>\n

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    Preparing for the Future: Transparency and EUDR Readiness<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    During our time in Mexico, we also got a close look at how producers and exporters are getting ready for\u00a0EUDR (European Union Deforestation Regulation)\u00a0compliance, a major new challenge on the global stage.<\/p>\n

    The good news? They\u2019re seriously prepping.<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Smallholder farms (under 1 hectare)\u00a0are being mapped using\u00a0centralized GPS coordinates.<\/li>\n
    • Larger farms\u00a0are being outlined with\u00a0geo-referenced polygon boundaries.<\/li>\n
    • The level of organization and awareness we saw was encouraging\u2014it reflects the broader trend of increasing traceability and transparency across Mexico\u2019s specialty sector.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cdn.cafeimports.com\/images\/321A8844.jpg” title_text=”321A8844″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cdn.cafeimports.com\/images\/321A8823-1-scaled.jpg” title_text=”321A8823″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”New Regions” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Raleway||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      While long-standing regions like Chiapas and Veracruz remain strong, we\u2019re also seeing emerging pockets of excellence in places like Puebla, Oaxaca, and Nayarit.<\/p>\n

      This expansion of quality beyond traditional strongholds is breathing new life into Mexican coffee and offering more diverse profiles to explore.<\/p>\n

      Supporting Mexican coffee now means supporting a supply chain that\u2019s actively investing in its future. From farm renovations to quality experimentation, producers are betting big on specialty.<\/p>\n

      This is a moment of renewed energy and shared possibility, and we\u2019re honored to be part of it.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”CIE” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Raleway||||||||” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      A Milestone for Cafe Imports Europe<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      For the first time in several years, Cafe Imports Europe is offering Mexican coffees a sign of both rising quality and our confidence in this origin\u2019s long-term potential. We\u2019re especially excited to make these coffees more accessible to our European roasting partners and to continue building out our Community Coffee program in the future.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”CIE” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Raleway||||||||” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      Why It Matters – for Roasters, for Producers, for the Future<\/strong><\/h2>\n

      Supporting Mexican coffee now means supporting a supply chain that\u2019s actively investing in its future. From farm renovations to quality experimentation, producers are betting big on specialty.<\/p>\n

      This is a moment of renewed energy and shared possibility, and we\u2019re honored to be part of it.<\/p>\n

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      This expansion of quality beyond traditional strongholds is breathing new life into Mexican coffee and offering more diverse profiles to explore.
      \nSupporting Mexican coffee now means supporting a supply chain that\u2019s actively investing in its future. From farm renovations to quality experimentation, producers are betting big on specialty.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":59892,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[432,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-59864","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-field-report","category-mexico"],"site_id":"1, 3","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cafeimports.com\/europe\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59864","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cafeimports.com\/europe\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cafeimports.com\/europe\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cafeimports.com\/europe\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cafeimports.com\/europe\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59864"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"https:\/\/www.cafeimports.com\/europe\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59864\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":59945,"href":"https:\/\/www.cafeimports.com\/europe\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59864\/revisions\/59945"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cafeimports.com\/europe\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cafeimports.com\/europe\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59864"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cafeimports.com\/europe\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59864"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cafeimports.com\/europe\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59864"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}