Buying coffee from El Salvador: Bourbon, Pacamara and altitude grades
El Salvador is known for old Bourbon trees and its own Pacamara variety, grown on volcanic ranges. The crop is much smaller than in the past, but the quality and the share sold to specialty buyers are high. This guide covers the numbers, grades and what to check.
Updated November 1, 2026 · 3 sources
El Salvador coffee in numbers
The USDA estimated El Salvador's 2024/25 crop at 561,000 60 kg bags and forecast 597,000 bags for 2025/26, with exports of about 578,000 and 583,000 bags. The United States took 47% of 2024/25 exports, followed by Belgium, Italy, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Japan. Coffee covers about 118,000 hectares. Low profits, old trees, limited credit and labour shortages hold output back.
Regions, varieties and harvest
Coffee grows on six ranges: Apaneca-Ilamatepec, El Bálsamo-Quezaltepec, Chichontepec, Tecapa-Chinameca, Cacahuatique and Alotepec-Metapán. Bourbon and Pacas are the main varieties, and Pacamara, a Pacas × Maragogype cross bred in El Salvador, is a specialty favourite. The harvest runs from October to March. See the El Salvador lots page.
Grades
| Grade | Altitude |
|---|---|
| Strictly High Grown (SHG) | Above 1,200 m |
| High Grown (HG) | 800–1,200 m |
| Central Standard (CS) | 600–800 m |
Put the grade and preparation (such as EP, European Preparation) in the contract. Our grading guide explains more.
Exporters and rules
- The Salvadoran Coffee Council is the national coffee authority, with private-sector and government members, and keeps a registry of exporters (123 were registered in its ICO presentation).
- Check that your exporter is registered and has export documents for each lot; see avoiding scams.
- More than 230 farms and 34 mills hold Rainforest Alliance certification.
Buying tips
- Ask for farm, altitude, variety and process, and approve a pre-shipment sample. Pacamara and other micro-lots sell on cupping score.
- Salvadoran coffee usually ships in 69 kg bags. See shipping green coffee.
- For the EU, ask early for plot geolocation; see the EUDR guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much coffee does El Salvador produce?
The USDA forecast about 597,000 60 kg bags for 2025/26, up from 561,000 the year before.
What is Pacamara?
A large-bean arabica variety bred in El Salvador from Pacas and Maragogype, popular with specialty buyers.
What does SHG mean for Salvadoran coffee?
Strictly High Grown: coffee grown above 1,200 metres. High Grown is 800–1,200 m and Central Standard 600–800 m.
Sources
- Daily Coffee News: El Salvador coffee report (on the USDA FAS Coffee Annual, May 2025) ↗
- ICO: El Salvador coffee sector presentation (Salvadoran Coffee Council) ↗
- Royal Coffee: Coffee weights and container loads by origin ↗
Checked on November 1, 2026. Laws, rules and prices change: always check the official source before you trade. This guide is general information, not legal advice.