Puerto Rico evaluates coffee minimum price revision

The Puerto Rico Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO) is evaluating a petition from Procafé to revise the minimum guaranteed price for coffee producers. A specialized committee is currently analyzing industry costs and the potential impact of price changes on consumers to prepare a formal report of findings and recommendations.

DACO Secretary Hiram Torres Montalvo noted that the evaluation must balance local production costs with international market trends. He highlighted that Puerto Rico produces approximately 20 percent of the coffee it consumes, meaning many local brands rely heavily on imported blends.

Furthermore, the coffee trading operation managed by the Department of Agriculture reported losses of $33 million last year. Because profits from this mechanism are used to fund incentives and benefits for the local coffee industry, international market fluctuations significantly affect the stability of the local system.