Indonesia and its history of coffee production
Indonesia, situated between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, consists of more than 17,000 islands, the largest being Java, Sumatra, Borneo (Kalimantan), Sulawesi, and Papua. The capital, Jakarta, is located near the north-western coast of Java. Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world, with over 270 million people. It’s rich cultural diversity is matched in the natural environment with its unique biodiversity and abundant resources such as minerals, oil and gas.
Coffee production in Indonesia has a long history, dating back to the late 17th century, with coffee seedlings bought over to the country by Dutch colonialists. Coffee was first grown on the island of Java, which became one of the earliest and most significant coffee-producing areas. After Indonesia gained independence in 1945, coffee production continued to play a significant role in the country’s economy.
Today, Indonesia is one of the world’s largest coffee producers and exporters of both arabica and robusta, with the country’s diverse geography and climate contributing to the unique characteristics of its coffees. There are three major growing areas: Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi, with smaller volumes grown in Bali, Flores and Papua. Sumatra accounts for half of the total national coffee production (and up to 75% robusta production).
Over 90% of coffee is cultivated by smallholders, who farm between a quarter to two hectares of land, intercropped with various fruit and vegetables. Indonesian coffee is known for it’s wet hulled processing method (giling basah in Bahasa language). This method involves removing the parchment from the coffee beans while they still have a high moisture content, resulting in a unique flavour profile. Specialty coffee production across Indonesia continues to grow, with producers focusing on sustainable and ethical practices, including organic farming, shade-grown cultivation, and fair trade principles.
Partners
We are excited to work in partnership with Mahana Coffee, an Indonesian company who work closely with smallholder producers, farmers, and cooperatives across the breadth of Indonesia’s coffee producing regions.
Mahana works closely with these dedicated individuals and cooperatives, providing them with the necessary support, resources, and knowledge to cultivate and export their exceptional coffee beans.