Loja province declared Capital of Coffee in Ecuador

The National Assembly of Ecuador has unanimously declared the province of Loja as the ‘Capital of Coffee of Ecuador’. The resolution, passed with 149 affirmative votes, recognizes the region's two centuries of coffee-growing tradition, which dates back to 1826 in the Calvas canton.

Loja's coffee production spans 16 cantons at altitudes between 600 and 2,200 meters above sea level. The province holds significant competitive records, having won 71% of the Taza Dorada national contests and 67% of the Cup of Excellence editions in Ecuador. The declaration also protects the ‘Lojano Café de Origen’ designation of origin.

Legislators and local officials highlighted the economic and cultural importance of the industry, noting its role in rural development and the inclusion of women and youth. The resolution urges government ministries to coordinate preferential credits, technology transfers, and public policies to support agro-productive development.