Honduras is very special to Project Origin for many reasons. It is the place Saša bought his first farm, Finca Beti, named after his wife, where we explore innovations with processing, different varieties and harvesting techniques. It is also where we hosted the Best of Honduras Late Harvest auction from 2016-2019, connecting producers with no previous direct trade access to buyers from all over the world, and many of these relationships continue to this day. Honduras isn’t where we go to visit suppliers, it’s where we go to be with our friends, our second family. And sharing these coffees around the world brings us great joy.
🌤️ Harvest is finishing last month. Weather conditions were good throughout Marcala, and Santa Barbara cherries ripened slowly, which is typical given the microclimates of the region.
🌱 Volume expectations are similar to last harvest. Whilst tree yield is reasonable for the producers we work with, the final harvested yield and quality will be determined, in part, by worker availability. Future harvests are to be monitored for impacts from climate change.
If workers and pickers are unavailable, producers will prioritise washed processed coffees over natural, as natural processes require more physical labour without the benefit of increased payment for the efforts compared to washed, which can have a much lower risk on the final quality and a price to match the effort.
See Political & Economical updates for more information.
Pickers are scarce due to many leaving the rural/regional areas seeking better opportunities and pay, including moving internationally. Many farmers are reporting great concern over how they will sustain their farms, especially larger ones, because without pickers cherries fall to the floor and become losses. But pickers are demanding higher pay. Some farms are being abandoned due to this issue.
Simultaneously, the coffee market price has settled from its highs of the last few years and producers are squeezed in the middle.
When operating in a direct trade style, as Project Origin does with much of our supply from Honduras, this squeezes the financing of coffees coming out of Honduras. It means we must pre-commit to payment timeframes and have no leniency or ability to stretch them. That in turn means a higher cost of financing for Project Origin which will ultimately be reflected in the final price of these coffees to our customers.
🗓️ The following pricing guide refers to the 2024 crop.
🇺🇸 Please note all price indications are based on current market conditions as of 1st August 2023 with the NYC coffee market price at approximately US$1.65/lb.
✅ All prices will be reviewed at the time of sale or contracting.
💲Price range is based on volume contracted. Talk to the sales team for specific quotes for your business.
🇦🇺 Australia Sales (AUD)
Black label: $11.80 – 13.60/kg
Green label: $17.00 – 22.00/kg
Supernaturals: $24.00 – 32.00/kg
🌍 International Sales (USD)
Black label: $8.00 – 9.60/kg
Green label: $11.50 – 17.00/kg
Supernaturals: $15.00 – 20.00/kg
✉️ Some pre-shipment samples for the 2024 crop can be expected around of March. Our sourcing team will be travelling this origin through March to shortlist the samples to be sent to Australia.
🚢 Shipping the 2024 harvest will be available from around March 2024. Producers are requesting containers move quickly to assist with the struggles of workers.
🚢 Shipping the 2024 harvest will be available from around April 2024, with our first container due to arrive in June for Regional lots, green label microlots and Supernaturals.
✅ We can share notes on available options from April/May 2024. Samples can be sent when available around April.
📦 We will be sourcing based on lot availability. EOI will be considered when finalising shortlists. We are expecting 1 container to Australia from Honduras this harvest, most of which will be pre-sold prior to arriving. Any Honduras needs should be discussed with Project Origin before end of February 2024 to be considered during our origin trip.
🗓️ Forecasting months are from January to March 2024 for the 2024 harvest, and your 2025 needs.
Honduras has an extended harvesting period. The main harvest is from October to February and the late harvest extends from March to June. The late harvest often features beans that take longer to mature. Coffees will typically ship from each origin about 3-4 months after the harvest begins.
The Project Origin Community Fund has allocated money towards projects that build daycare centres, infrastructure, drying beds, green coffee processing and fermentation facilities and more.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, the Ngunnawal people. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.