Nicaragua

In the mix of key exporters of central America, with 2.2% of global exports, and position 11th, their harvest spans December to March, with the harvest from May. The country controlled its coffee production through ENCAFE post the civil war. It is one of the poorest countries and sparsely populated one where natural disasters have ravaged it. Now it is still recovering from the coffee crisis of 1999-2003 however, the program Cup of Excellence has really brought the industry back up to standard with the Nicaraguan Specialty Coffee Association by bringing awareness regarding the differences between specialty and commercial commodity-grade coffees.