It's not Colombia: the Latin American country that took over the coffee market

Colombian coffee is recognized worldwide for its smooth flavor, enveloping aroma, and high quality. Grown in mountainous areas with ideal conditions, each bean reflects tradition and excellence. However, there is another country that has positioned itself as Latin America's leading exporter.

Colombian coffee is a national symbol that embodies tradition, flavor, and quality. Recognized worldwide for its smooth profile, balanced acidity, and fruity aromas, the country has positioned itself as a benchmark for premium and specialty coffees, grown in the mountainous regions of Antioquia, Huila, and the Coffee Region.

However, in terms of export volume and value, Brazil has displaced Colombia as the global leader. According to Statista , in 2024, this country exported coffee worth approximately US$11.4 billion, making it the world's leading exporter, far surpassing Colombia.

What Reuters explains is that the difference lies in Brazil combining massive scale, mechanization, logistics infrastructure and varietal diversification, with record export increases: for example, a 38% increase in bags sold in 2024 and a record export revenue of US$12.56 billion.

Meanwhile, although Colombia plans to increase its production, it remains the second largest Latin American exporter by volume, focusing on high-quality Arabica coffees and prioritizing the work of families who dedicate their lives to this industry so characteristic of the nation.

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The incomparable flavor of Colombian coffee

While Brazil leads in volume, Colombia maintains its reputation for quality, especially in specialty coffee markets , where consumers value origin and sensory profile. Experts indicate that Colombian coffee is distinguished by a smooth, balanced, and clean flavor in the cup, provided by 100% Arabica beans manually selected for their ripeness and quality, according to the region of origin. These include: Huila: the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. Its mountains and temperate climate favor slow bean ripening, resulting in coffees with bright citric acidity, natural sweetness, and fruity and floral notes.

Nariño: extreme altitude and complex flavor

Here, the bean develops slowly, concentrating sugars and aromatic compounds. The result is coffee with high acidity, a silky body, and flavors of red fruits, wine, chocolate, and citrus.

Cauca: diversity of profiles with high quality

Cauca stands out for the variety of microclimates and volcanic soils that enrich its coffee crops. Coffees from this region typically have a balanced profile and floral, citrus, and chocolate notes. Its versatility makes it ideal for both espresso and filter coffee.

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Tolima: Soft sweetness and round body. Its sweet flavors of honey, yellow fruits, cocoa, and nuts set it apart from the rest. The region has gained prominence in the specialty coffee scene thanks to its stable quality and sensory richness.

Antioquia: coffee tradition and classic flavor

As one of the oldest coffee-growing regions, Antioquia has been key to the development of the sector in Colombia. Its coffees have a more traditional profile: smooth, medium-bodied, low acidity, and with notes of chocolate, panela, and nuts.

Coffee Region (Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda): the heart of Colombian coffee

This region is the country's most emblematic and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its ideal geographical conditions allow for a consistent and highly representative production of Colombian flavor.