Buying coffee from Guatemala: SHB arabica, volcanic regions and exports
Guatemala is famous for dense, high-grown washed arabica from volcanic soils. Almost all of its coffee is arabica and most of the crop is graded Strictly Hard Bean. This guide covers the numbers, regions, grades and what to check.
Updated November 1, 2026 · 3 sources
Guatemala coffee in numbers
The USDA forecast Guatemala's 2026/27 production at about 3.26 million 60 kg bags and exports at about 3.2 million, around 90% of them green coffee. Arabica is about 96% of production. In the 2024/25 harvest, 81% of the crop was classified Strictly Hard Bean (SHB), and exports earned about USD 1.28 billion. The United States takes about 42% of exports, followed by Japan, Canada, Belgium, Italy and South Korea.
Regions
The national coffee association, Anacafé, promotes regional profiles including Antigua, Acatenango, Atitlán, Huehuetenango, Cobán, Fraijanes, Nuevo Oriente and San Marcos. Volcanic soils, altitude and different rain patterns give each its own character, from the chocolate and spice of Antigua to the fruit and acidity of Huehuetenango. See the Guatemala lots page.
Grades
Guatemala grades by altitude: according to the agriculture ministry (MAGA), Strictly Hard Bean (SHB) grows above 1,400 metres and Hard Bean (Duro) between 1,200 and 1,400 metres, with lower grades below. Higher coffee ripens more slowly and is usually denser, with more acidity. Our grading guide explains the definitions. Specialty lots are also sold on cup score; see cupping scores.
Buying tips
- Ask for the region, farm or cooperative, altitude and process, and approve a pre-shipment sample.
- Write SHB or HB, moisture and defect limits into the contract.
- Guatemalan coffee ships in 69 kg bags, about 250 to 275 per 20-foot container; see shipping green coffee.
- Watch for rust and borer reports in the season you buy: they can affect volumes.
Frequently asked questions
What does SHB mean for Guatemalan coffee?
Strictly Hard Bean: coffee grown above 1,400 metres according to Guatemala's agriculture ministry, usually denser and more acidic than Hard Bean coffee from 1,200 to 1,400 metres.
What are Guatemala's main coffee regions?
Anacafé promotes Antigua, Acatenango, Atitlán, Huehuetenango, Cobán, Fraijanes, Nuevo Oriente and San Marcos, among others.
Who buys the most Guatemalan coffee?
The United States, which takes about 42% of exports, followed by Japan, Canada, Belgium, Italy and South Korea.
Sources
- Daily Coffee News: Guatemala coffee report, production up as arabica plantings mature (on the USDA FAS annual report, May 2026) ↗
- USDA Foreign Agricultural Service: Guatemala Coffee Annual ↗
- 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.