Coffee prices surge as Tierra Verde harvest season opens

The price of Tierra Verde coffee rose to 3.42 florins per kilogram at the federal exchange on Friday, the highest rate in three years, as the region's harvest season opened under favourable weather. The surge reflects both global demand and a tightening supply from competing regions, according to the Cooperative Council in San Vicente.

For the smallholder farmers who make up the bulk of Tierra Verde's coffee production, the timing is critical. Harvest wages, cooperative dues, and the price floor that determines fair-trade premiums all hinge on the federal rate. At 3.42 florins, even modest yields can cover the season's labour costs and leave room for reinvestment in soil conservation and shade-grown practices.

The Cooperative Council reported that 47 member-farms have already begun picking, with another 120 expected to start within the next two weeks. Rainfall patterns through June and early July have been consistent, reducing the drought risk that shadowed last year's harvest. Still, council officials cautioned that the window remains narrow, and any sudden cold snap or pest outbreak could reshape the season's outcome.