Bolivia in Full Harvest: Quality Put to the Test by Rain, Logistics, and New Markets

Bolivia’s 2026 coffee harvest is now at one of its most important stages, particularly in the Yungas of La Paz, where most of the country’s coffee is produced. Caranavi, Bolivia’s main coffee-growing region, accounts for around 85% of national production, while the Bolivian National Coffee Council estimates total annual production at close to 100,000 60-kg bags, of which between 60,000 and 70,000 are potentially available for export. This year, however, persistent rainfall during part of the season complicated harvesting, transportation, and especially drying, a critical stage for maintaining the stability and quality of specialty coffee lots.

The challenges do not end once the cherries leave the farm. Road blockades during the harvest made it more difficult to move coffee efficiently to processing centers, forcing some producers to adapt their drying methods directly in producing areas, while prolonged humidity also increased the risk of diseases such as anthracnose. Now, weather conditions are once again in focus: SENAMHI projected above-normal maximum temperatures in the Yungas for August, while specialists continue to monitor the possible strengthening of El Niño toward the end of 2026.

Despite these difficulties, the harvest is also showing why Bolivia continues to gain attention among buyers looking for differentiated coffees. On August 3, producers from La Asunta completed an export of 9,600 kg of specialty green coffee to South Korea, consisting of 316 bags and valued at USD 80,425, highlighting the commercial potential of lots with quality, traceability, and a clear origin identity. For buyers and roasters, Bolivia’s 2026 harvest will be especially interesting: availability may be there, but harvest and post-harvest conditions will make careful producer selection, lot evaluation, and purchasing timing even more important.