Currently the specialized division CENTA-Café is the body responsible for certifying seeds, however, the company argues that it only verifies if available seeds meet the required characteristics. Therefore, the Coffee Association is calling for certification of 14 million rust resistant seeds "... which became plants and can be planted this year."

Sifredo Benitez from Foro del Cafe, told Laprensagrafica.com that "... The only thing that they will guarantee us (regarding quality and traceability) is the seed that was imported, as well as a good amount of seed that PROCAFE extracted, such as catisic which was developed in the late Salvadoran Institute for Coffee Research. The variety that has been brought in is the CR 95, from Costa Rica and another from Guatemala . "

Meanwhile, Sergio Ticas, president of the Coffee Association, added, "... Producers must be certain about the certificates by March at the latests. The following months are key to coffee plantation development. "

Source: laprensagrafica.com

More on this topic

Coffee from El Salvador Getting More Competitive

February 2017

The growing debt now exceeds $180 million and a lack of funds to invest in research and renovation of the park is increasingly reducing the possibility of the industry improving.

For companies in the coffee sector, with each passing year the situation is getting worse. Not only are the effects of weather on plantations hurting their performance, but so is lack of investment in research and funding necessary for an activity that is becoming less competitive compared to other producers and exporting countries.

Outbreak of Coffee Rust in El Salvador

January 2015

The fungus has propagated in more than 70% of plantations, similar to the level seen in 2012, when the outbreak of coffee rust first emerged in the region.

Of the 14 departments 13 have already reported infestation on coffee farms especially in medium and large sized shrubs.

How much does it cost to renew coffee plantations in El Salvador?

March 2014

The union estimates that 30,000 hectares need to be renewed each year, at a cost of $5,000 for each hectare planted with new trees.

Producers want to improve crop productivity and for this they need funding to rejuvenate coffee farms and fertilize the soil.

In the view of Sergio Ticas, President of the Coffee Association "if the work is done on 30,000 fields each year, production will be two million quintals in a period of four years. To achieve these results we need to plant new plants, carry out pruning, cut backs (cut the stem back to 30 centimeters above the ground) and replace the necessary nutrients, among other tasks. "

El Salvador: Bureaucracy Holding Up Coffee Loans

February 2014

Salvadoran coffee growers are decrying the fact that in order to qualify for a loan they must meet up to 17 requirements with financial institutions.

Among other things, the banks are asking coffee producers for 'the balance sheet and income statement at the end of last year, with ruling and notes, a trial balance which is not less than three months older than the date of application for the loan.