Yunnan is China’s largest coffee-growing region, producing more than ninety percent of the country’s coffee. The Yunnan coffee harvest usually runs from November to March of the following year, with peak volumes between December and February. CoffeeYo is based in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan from October to April each year, covering the entire harvest season. The month-by-month rhythm is set out below.
Note: actual timing varies with altitude, varietal and the year’s weather; individual plots and estates commonly differ by two to four weeks. The table reflects the general pattern across Yunnan’s main growing areas, and on-the-ground conditions prevail.
Harvest Calendar by Month
| Month | What happens in the field | What we publish |
|---|---|---|
| November | Harvest begins: lower-altitude plots are picked first and primary processing lines start up | Season opener, first-picking reports, processing line status |
| December | Volumes build: main areas enter peak picking; washed and natural processing run at capacity | Origin notes, processing-floor photography, grower interviews |
| January | Peak harvest: mid- and high-altitude plots are picked; cherry quality is at its best | Harvest progress, cupping samples, quality observations |
| February | Harvest winds down: the last high-altitude lots come in and green bean stocks build up | Season review, yield and quality retrospective |
| March | New crop reaches the market: trading and export begin, with intensive cupping and pricing | New-crop market reports, cupping notes, sourcing information |
Why the Harvest Season Matters
- It sets the quality for the year — picking maturity and post-harvest processing are concentrated in these months and largely determine the flavour and consistency of the crop.
- Prices are most sensitive — the new-crop window sees the year’s sharpest price movements and the heaviest demand for information from buyers.
- Field reporting is scarce — first-hand origin coverage is far rarer than consumer-facing content, which is exactly where being on site adds value.
Our On-Site Schedule
From October to April each year we are based in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, covering the full chain from first picking to new-crop sales. Through the season we publish along four tracks — origin notes, estate visits, harvest progress and weekly market updates — in both Chinese and English.
Related Sections
- Coffee Origins — reporting from growing regions and estates
- Market Insights — green bean prices, supply and demand
- Sourcing — an information bridge between origins and buyers
- About Us — learn more about CoffeeYo
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