Southwest China's Yunnan Province, the leading producer of coffee beans in the country, is gaining recognition in supply chains for its high-quality products. Zheng Songwu reports from Pu'er City. 

ZHENG SONGWU Pu'er City, Yunnan Province "Coffee in the morning has been routine for many Chinese people. Yunnan is somewhat key to this caffeine craze, as its China's top coffee bean-producing province. And not only is it vital to domestic supply chains, but also international markets."

Official data shows that in 2023, Yunnan had 80,000 hectares of coffee plantations, accounting for 98% of China's total. Previously, most beans were exported overseas but often lacked recognition for quality due to limited expertise in specialty coffee cultivation.

The pandemic and natural disasters disrupted global markets, drawing attention to Yunnan's coffee industry. Local farmers, with support from major companies like Starbucks, have significantly improved their coffee bean quality.

CAI QINGKAI Coffee Farmer, Founder of Qingkai Farm "The agronomists from Starbucks visit us monthly to assist with pest management, pruning, and soil evaluation. They analyze our soil and guide us on adding the necessary nutrients."

Starbucks established its Farmer Support Center in Yunnan in 2012, offering free professional training to local farmers. Since 2017, Starbucks has annually introduced Yunnan-produced Starbucks Reserve coffee beans, incentivizing farmers with prices 20–30% above market average. Meanwhile, farmers like Cai have implemented unique methods to enhance quality.

CAI QINGKAI Coffee Farmer, Founder of Qingkai Farm "A decade ago, farmers processed beans inconsistently. Now, we use advanced facilities like drying machines and adhere to strict standards, which has greatly improved product quality."

Local authorities have partnered with Shanghai and other regions to promote Yunnan's coffee through rural revitalization projects.

DAI XIAOYAN General Manager, Youfeng Kagu Culture & Tourism Company "We've developed projects in this village focused on coffee experiences. Tourists can engage in activities like cherry-picking and drying. We also collaborate with Yunnan Agricultural University to establish research bases for breeding and cultivation."

Major brands like Starbucks, Luckin and Manner now use Yunnan beans, transitioning the province from a raw bean supplier to a recognized specialty coffee producer. 

Zheng Songwu, CGTN, Pu'er, Yunnan Province.