Coffee was first introduced to Suriname in the 18th century when Dutch colonizers brought coffee plants from Java, Indonesia. The country’s favorable climate and fertile soil proved ideal for coffee cultivation, and plantations quickly flourished, making coffee a vital part of Suriname’s economy. The booming coffee industry attracted many European settlers eager to profit from the trade.
However, the industry later faced several setbacks. The abolition of slavery in the 19th century led to the loss of a major labor force, while plant diseases like coffee rust and increased global competition reduced productivity and profitability for Surinamese coffee farmers.
