Missed the live origin trip to Guatemala or want to watch it again? No worries! We've got you covered. We designed the experience below to bring you on a journey to Guatemala together with Luiza, our Discoveries Manager, and five local producers: Fernando, Karen, André, Christian and Mario. You can take this origin trip at any time from wherever you are.
Step 1. The trip is about to start. Here's your boarding pass ✈️🇬🇹
Step 2. Take a look at the interactive travel guide with the detailed information on the itinerary 🗺
Step 3. Watch the recording of the full coffee journey 📹
Step 4. Discover our coffees from Guatemala.
Sign up or log in to Algrano to check out the Guatemalan coffees and meet Fernando, Karen, André, Christian, Mario and other growers from the region.
Step 5. Review the Q&A with answers from Fernando Díaz 🙋🏽
Q: What coffee varieties are common in Guatemala? Do you also have hybrid species?
We have mainly Bourbon and Catuaí and we only have the varietals that are known. Our experimental efforts go more to processing than genetics.
Q: Are you worried about how coronavirus may affect harvest and logistics? What can roasters and organisations do in Europe to ensure coffees are able to be processed, sold and shipped?
Not really, for now. Our government has issued good health measures. But this might just have moved the peak or flatten the pandemic's curve. Our major concern right now is if the buyers will purchase the same volume or less because we know that many coffee shops are closed.
Q: Here in the UK, roasters have seen big increases in coffee sales to homes, but this is only helping a small amount to cover the loss of their wholesale clients.
Exactly. That is our concern. Demand volume might be reduced.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you face growing coffee in Guatemala?
Firstly, we face challenges with nature and the risk involved. Secondly, selling prices.
Q: Typically how many people work in a farm? And how many different roles are there in a farm?
In my case, the farm has 60 hectares. I have 12 people during the regular season (9 months) and 80 during harvest (3months). In my farm there are only 2 roles. I need to keep it simple. 11 guys work in the field and there is one supervisor. There is also a back office in the city that helps with paperwork, payroll, etc.
Q: Do you use any ways to try and limit the impact of the nature and weather on your harvests, such as irrigation?
That is pretty expensive but we will actually introduce irrigation in our SL-28 lot in this year.
Q: When is the best time to visit a farm?
February to March for harvest.
Q: What is the most expensive part of the whole chain in Guatemala?
Manual labour. It represents between 65% to 75% of the production cost.
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Have more questions to the producers? Submit them in the form below and we will make sure the growers give you answers.
Thank you for traveling with Algrano! 🤗