Bipartisan U.S. Congressional Coffee Caucus launched in April 2025

U.S. House of Representatives Jill Tokuda-Hawaii and William Timmons-South Carolina launched the Congrssional Coffee Caucus on April 8 to bring attention and support to the U.S. coffee industry.

Coffee is grown on a commercial scale in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and California contributing less than 1% of the global coffee market, however, the coffee industry as a whole contributes over $343 Billion of U.S. economic activity and employs over 2.2 million Americans.

Hawaii has grown coffee for over 200 years, well before it entered into U.S. statehood. It produces over 16.5 million pounds of coffee anually on over 800 farms contributing over $102 Million and is considered it’s second largest crop next to seed corn. Kona coffee can be harvested every month of the year, but the main harvest time is typically August thru December. Coffee is grown on five of Hawaii’s eight islands: : Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Molokai.

Puerto Rico has over 2983 coffee farms producing over 3 million pounds of green coffee annually and employing over 4000 farmers. Puerto Rico grows primarily Arabica coffee, more specifically Bourbon, Typica, & Pacamara varietals which are harvested in September and October each year.