Should We Be Really Concerned Now? Colombian Farmers Are Switching from Coffee to Cacao — Here’s What That Means for Your Morning Brew

Spoiler: It’s not all bad news—it might even be good news… for them.

Hey there, coffee friend 👋

If you’re anything like me, your day starts with a sacred ritual: the slow bloom of your morning brew, that earthy aroma wafting through the air, and maybe a quiet moment before the chaos kicks in.

But what if I told you the hands that once picked your coffee cherry… are now reaching for cacao pods instead?

It’s true. Across Colombia, more and more farmers are switching from coffee to cacao. And while that might feel like a jolt (especially if your coffee cabinet leans heavily Colombian), there’s another side to the story that deserves our attention:

This change? It could be saving lives, land, and legacies.

Let me explain.

Why the Switch?

Colombian farmers have been the heartbeat of coffee culture for generations. The mountainous regions, the volcanic soil, the deep-rooted tradition—it’s the stuff of legends. But in recent years, many farmers have found themselves in an uphill battle.

🌡️ Rising temperatures are making high-quality coffee harder (and riskier) to grow.
🐛 Pests and diseases—like the coffee leaf rust—are thriving in the warmer climate.
💸 Global prices are unpredictable. One year, you might earn enough to fix the roof. The next? You’re barely feeding your family.

So what does cacao bring to the table?

The Bright Side of Cacao (Yes, Even for Coffee Lovers)

Here’s what farmers are telling us:

1. More Climate Resilience
   Cacao trees thrive in shade and can handle hotter, lower-altitude environments better than coffee. That means less damage from extreme heat and fewer losses when the rain patterns go haywire.

2. Stable (and Sometimes Higher) Prices
   With the global demand for chocolate steadily rising, especially for ethically sourced, artisanal cacao, many farmers are seeing better, more consistent paydays. Some even say their income has doubled since making the switch.

3. Less Stress, Better Health
   Farming cacao requires less manual labor than coffee during harvest season. That means fewer long days hunched over in the sun, and more time to rest, spend with family, or even start other ventures.

A Personal Story from the Field

I remember a conversation with a farmer named Juliana from Tolima. She told me her parents were coffee farmers, her grandparents too. Coffee was in her blood.

But last year, a fungus wiped out nearly half her crop. She cried. Not just for the lost income, but for what it symbolized—like watching a piece of her heritage fall apart.

Then she planted cacao.

Six months in, she was cautiously hopeful. A year later, her face lit up when she said, “Now I can plan. I can breathe.”

Let that sink in.
I can plan. I can breathe.

That's what switching to cacao gave her. Not just a crop. A future.

What This Means for Your Brew

Now, I know what you might be thinking: But what happens to my Colombian coffee?

Here’s the real talk: you might start seeing fewer Colombian beans in the years ahead—or smaller, more premium batches with a higher price tag. But maybe… just maybe… that cup will be more meaningful.

Because when you do choose to support Colombian coffee, you’ll know it comes from farmers who still choose it—not because they have to, but because they want to. And that makes it all the more special.

Where Do We Go From Here?

At Win Win Coffee, we believe in celebrating farmers’ choices—not clinging to tradition at their expense.

That’s why we’re…

✅ Partnering with producers who are diversifying—some now grow both cacao and coffee.
✅ Exploring limited-edition cacao-coffee collabs (hello, chocolate cold brew!).
✅ Continuing to pay above-market rates for beans from small Colombian co-ops who are still passionate about the craft.

And guess what? We’ll be asking for your input soon. Should we explore a Colombian Mocha series? A “Café y Cacao” blend? Something totally new?

Stay tuned on IG stories—we want your voice in the mix. ☕

Final Sip

Change can be scary. But it can also be beautiful.

So the next time you sip your coffee, think of Juliana, and the many like her. Think of the strength it takes to let go of something familiar and embrace what’s better for your future.

This isn’t the end of Colombian coffee.
It’s a turning of the page.

And we’re here for every chapter.