Guatemala Oriente – COUNISA ‎
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The Oriente (Nuevo Oriente) region lies in eastern Guatemala, near the border with Honduras. Coffee production began to develop here actively in the 1950s, becoming a key driver of economic growth for this once-isolated area. The landscape is mountainous and of ancient volcanic origin, but unlike most of Guatemala’s coffee regions, the soils here are metamorphic rather than volcanic — rich in minerals and unique in composition. ‎
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This distinctive soil structure, combined with a cool and rainy climate, creates a special microclimate ideal for the slow maturation of coffee cherries. Plantations are located between 1,300 and 1,700 meters above sea level, allowing the cultivation of Strictly Hard Bean (SHB) coffees with high bean density and excellent quality. ‎
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Coffee here is mostly grown on small family farms, where producers cultivate not only coffee but also corn, fruits, and vegetables for their own consumption. ‎
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COUNISA is one of Guatemala’s key coffee companies, with over three decades of experience. Founded in 1988, it has become a major player in coffee farming, processing, and export. The company operates across multiple levels of the supply chain — from managing farms to exporting green coffee and trading roasted beans. ‎
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Representatives of COUNISA, including Betty Leiva and Erik Rosales, have repeatedly served as members of the National Jury of the Guatemala Cup of Excellence (2016, 2019, 2021), contributing to the recognition of Guatemala’s specialty coffee on the world stage. ‎
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