In Puerto Rico, coffee growers are in demand

"“Iris Rodriguez remembers sleeping on a bed made out of sacks. Her grandfather put it together for her; she slept on it while her family processed coffee in the early hours of the morning, during harvest time. That's one of the memories that made me feel like I belonged and that I was loved by my family, she recalls.”"

"“While the coffee industry on the island dates back to the 18th century, today, it faces challenges such as labor shortages and climate change, as well as a reduction in the land area suitable for cultivation, factors that hinder production. Despite this, there are initiatives from within the island that are committed to strengthening the country's coffee ecosystem.”"

"“Dos Caminos coffee packaging.Dos Caminos Coffee cultivation was introduced to Puerto Rico in 1736, becoming a renowned industry that exported coffee to Europe, including the Vatican and the Spanish monarchy. But what was once dubbed the coffee of popes and kings began to decline in 1898 with the U.S. invasion, hurricanes and global competition.”"

"“In response to the destruction, Rodriguez, along with Pedro Pons and Eric Torres, founded Puerto Rico Coffee Producers Inc. (Procafe). The organization's mission is to boost coffee production, both in terms of volume and efficiency, for the socioeconomic development of coffee farmers, their”"

Iris Rodriguez recalls early family life on a farm in Adjuntas, including sleeping on a bed made from sacks while coffee was processed during harvest. She returned to the countryside at age 50 to work the family farm, but found the coffee sector lacked support and representation. Coffee production on the island began in the 18th century and once exported widely, but declined after the U.S. invasion, hurricanes, and global competition. Hurricane Maria in 2017 devastated most plantations, prompting Rodriguez, Pedro Pons, and Eric Torres to found Puerto Rico Coffee Producers Inc. (Procafe). Local projects such as Procafe, Cafiesencia, and Cafe Dos Caminos aim to strengthen the coffee ecosystem by supporting growers through entrepreneurship, education, and sustainable development while preserving the emotional value of Puerto Rican coffee.

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