Not all countries have the same coffee harvest period. There are different coffee harvesting periods in the world that are influenced by many factors. In general, the harvest period occurs for approximately 2 to 5 months.

Meanwhile, the length of time it takes for the coffee plants to be picked is about 6 months to over 2 years. For example, robusta coffee takes 8 to 11 months to mature.

Then, there is arabica coffee which can mature for about 6 to 8 months. Coffee can only be picked when it is fully ripe.

Ripe coffee is characterized by the color of the rind. Ripe fruits have a red color. Then, the color changes after over ripe to blackish.

The length of time from maturity to harvest also depends on the type of coffee and various other factors.

Factors Affecting the Different Coffee Harvesting Periods in the World

So, what are the factors that influence the different coffee harvest periods in the world?

Sunlight Exposure

Just like plants in general, coffee plants also need enough sunlight to grow well. The right sunlight will make chlorophyll turn into glucose and oxygen. These two things are needed for the development of plant parts, such as roots, stems, and so on.

Climate Conditions

Coffee plants should be grown in climates that have the right amount of rainfall and drought. Coffee is best grown in areas with rainfall of about 1500 to 3000 mm per year.

In addition, coffee is better grown in dry climates with rainfall below 60 mm per month. Therefore, before planting coffee, it must first be seen that the climatic conditions in the area are more suitable for planting what type of coffee.

The location of the coffee growing area can also affect the harvest period. The easiest example, Indonesian coffee grown south of the Equator such as Java and Lampung Coffee, has a harvest period in the middle of the year. Coffee grown north of the equator, such as in Aceh, has a different harvest period.

Soil Condition

Fertile soil will make coffee plants grow well. Before planting coffee, land selection must be done carefully. A good soil structure is one with a crumbly top layer. This means that the soil looks porous and drier. In addition, the slope of the land is also less than 30 percent.

Height of Place

Finally, coffee cultivation also depends on the geographical area chosen. Farmers should consider the appropriate altitude. For example, Arabica coffee is suitable for planting in the highlands with an altitude of between 900-1700 meters above sea level. In addition, robusta coffee is suitable for planting at an altitude of 40-900 meters above sea level.

Harvest Time in the Top 5 Largest Coffee Producing Countries in the World

Based on data from Statista, here are the top five largest coffee-producing countries in the world.

Brazil

Brazil ranks as the world’s largest coffee-producing country. In 2022, the country managed to produce 3,558,000 metric tons per year.

The coffee harvest period in this country can reach 5 months, starting from May-September. Brazil has experienced a decline in harvest due to a severe drought that occurred in 2020.

In addition, Brazil was also hit by frost in 2021. This caused the coffee harvest in Brazil to decrease by 120,000 tons.

Vietnam

Vietnam produced 1,830,000 metric tons of coffee in 2022. In general, the robusta coffee harvest period in Vietnam begins in October or November.

In 2022, the coffee harvest in Vietnam was hampered by La Nina. They had to postpone the harvest for one month. this causes the harvest period to last until early December.

Colombia

The country produced as much as 858,000 metric tons in 2022. The coffee harvest period in Colombia takes place from October-December. Colombia is famous for producing Arabica coffee.

Indonesia

In 2022, Indonesia produced 642,000 metric tons of coffee. Usually, the harvest period occurs around May or June. In Java, harvesting is usually done from May to September. Then, in Java and Bali, the robusta harvest usually takes place from July to September.

In Sumatra and Aceh, the harvest period occurs twice a year, from February to April and September to November.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia produced 441,000 metric tons in 2022. The coffee harvest period in the country takes place from October-January

A successful coffee harvest season depends on the weather or climate. It is not uncommon for too dry a season or too much rainfall to cause damage to the coffee harvest.

Reflecting on the conditions in Vietnam, which had to postpone the harvest due to continuous rain. In addition, Brazil has also experienced reduced yields due to drought.

Therefore, climate and soil conditions are something that must be considered because they greatly affect the coffee harvest.

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