A diminutive coffee powerhouse, El Salvador might be one of the world's smallest exporters but it consistently produces some of the finest coffee with 95% of the country’s coffee grown under shade.
From the time cultivation began in the early 19th century, coffee has fueled the economic development of El Salvador, reaching a peak in the 1970s when this tiny country was the world's fourth largest coffee producer. Political instability, increased competition, and the emergence of coffee leaf rust have led to yields decreasing, and El Salvador now accounts for only 1% of global production.