A TIMELESS STORY

BEHIND A CUP OF JAMAICA COFFEE

HOW THE STORY BEGAN

Thanks to Sir Nicholas Lawes, who stood as governor of Jamaica from 1718 to 1722, for introducing what is now one of Jamaica’s premier agricultural produce – coffee, now trademarked as Jamaica Blue Mountain® and Jamaica High Mountain® Supreme Coffee.

History has recorded the story that Sir Lawes brought the first coffee plants from Martinique to Jamaica in 1728. History further has it that Governor Lawes planted those coffee plants on the Temple Hall property, a dowry he received from the father of his fourth wife, Thomas Temple.

THE STORY BEGAN EVOLVING

The swiftness in production expansion was simultaneously matched by a rapid popularity in demand as Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee caught the attention of coffee lovers worldwide in general, but in Canada in particular. Interestingly, estate or plantation coffee dominated production in Jamaica in the early years with approximately 600 coffee plantations identified by 1850, less than 100 years after Governor Lawes introduced the crop.

THE EVOLVING STORY

With its introduction in the mainstream coffee shops or cafés, as they are more commonly known, Jamaican coffee is now a timeless beverage. Coffee is not only a morning beverage but also a routine drink for a growing number of enthusiasts who want to satisfy their thirst, whether warm or cold, straight or flavoured.

Today, Jamaica is experiencing its own growing coffee consumption culture, an experience fuelled by an increasing number of cafés and even more increasing availability of coffee machines at convenience stores.

THE EVOLUTION OF AN INDUSTRY

Increasing internal consumption signifies more value-added players and, by extension, the building out of an industry that encompasses a wider network. And so where once were farmers and predominantly processors embarking on mainly primary sale of cherry coffee through to green bean, the trade evolution is now in motion.

Coffee shops or café feed into the larger segment called the hospitality trade, and this sector is kept alive by a continuous supply of roasted coffee. The demand for this key ingredient is provided by a growing number of roasters, building-out technicians and professionals, resulting in the involvement of many market players.

THE EVOLUTION OF A FINANCIAL PRODUCT

The Jamaica coffee value chain is now evolving. Farmers, processors, value-added players are supported by a consuming public who is getting to find out the secret that the world already knew, that Jamaica has one of the finest brews and it is available to them as well.

MOST OF ALL, THE EVOLUTION OF THE WELFARE OF A PEOPLE

On record, Jamaica has approximately 5,000 registered coffee farmers. Each farmer has an average of four dependents. Approximately 80 per cent of those farmers are regarded as small, cultivating on less than five acres. The vast majority of coffee farmers are, therefore, smallholders whose dedication, determination and agronomic know-how have contributed to the build-out of this industry.

For the sustainability of the Jamaican coffee industry, we must strive for a major contribution coming from the coffee sector towards a sustainable future. A conscientious effort that monitors and manages greenhouse gas emissions, builds out the value chain to support increasing internal consumption and ultimately, positively influences the living income of those nearly 80 per cent of our small producers who are the backbone of this potential giant of an industry.