The Pluma designation of origin for coffee granted to the state of Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract

Summary

Coffee production is an economically important crop in 13 of Mexico’s 31 states. The states of Chiapas, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Puebla, and Nayarit account for 90% of all production. Twenty-five percent of the coffee crop production takes place in rural areas identified as socially and economically marginalized and food insecure. These marginalized areas transect four of the five states above (Chiapas, Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Puebla). The state of Oaxaca ranks third in terms of extreme marginalization (Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural [SADER], 2023).

Oaxaca has approximately 28,000 small coffee producers. The region has taken significant strides to ele­vate and distinguish its coffee. In 2020, the origin of Oaxacan coffee was officially recognized and granted the “Pluma” namesake. In 2022, Pluma met the Mexican Standard 255, a validation of quality and compliance.

The Pluma origin signifies and describes the geographical range, soil, and climate where that coffee is produced within the state of Oaxaca. The Mexican Standard 255 validates the homogenous sensory and physical attributes for the Pluma origin. Together, these brand the Pluma origin as a product worthy of a higher demand for production at a higher price point. Since the quality of Oaxacan coffee has already been recognized and is coveted in the international marketplace, this adds value to the region’s specialty coffee.