Guatemala - the jewel in Central American coffee production

Just one quarter of Antonio's property is planted with coffee; the rest is native forest, protected by Antonio and monitored by the government who support Antonio financially to protect native flora and fauna. Similarly, the water Antonio uses for processing comes from the farm and is protected. The forest on his farm is certified by the National Institution of Protection of Forests (INAB). He farms 64 manzanas of coffee: half in Caturra and half in Borbon, and in 2019, he planted 5,000 Gesha plants.

Antonio is a fourth - generation grower, twenty years in himself. In the past, he has sold coffee in cherry, like the vast majority of Guatemala's small producers. But less than 10 years ago, he started drying his coffee to sell parchment at differentiated prices. He has five daughters, and is able to put them all through university thanks to selling specialty coffee. Selling parchment at differentiated prices has allowed Antonio to give his daughters opportunities he never had himself. Antonio is hoping to be able to purchase a mechanical dryer, for more control during drying and to be less dependent upon weather and patio space. Antionio has given upper part of his farm to members of the local indigenous community who work on his farm.