Myanmar
Shade-Grown
Coffee
Direct trade specialty Arabica from Myanmar's Shan State highlands. High-altitude, shade-grown lots scoring 83–86+ SCA. A unique flavor profile backed by a fully transparent supply chain.
The Asian Secret: Shan State Highlands
To understand the unique flavor of Shan Terra, one must understand its origin. The Shan State highlands, spanning Pyin Oo Lwin, Hopong, and Ywa Ngan, sit on the edge of the Shan Plateau. Unlike the hot lowlands, these regions offer a unique cool microclimate at high altitudes, boasting nutrient-rich Red Loam soil.
ALTITUDE
Grown at 1,100m to 1,600m MASL. The high elevation creates cooler nights, essential for bean density.
CLIMATE
Misty mornings and moderate temperatures prevent scorching, allowing the cherry to develop without stress.
SOIL
Deep, ancient Red Loam soil provides the mineral complexity that translates into stone fruit notes.
Terroir Profile
Shan State vs average growing region
From Poppies to Specialty Coffee
Twenty years ago, Myanmar's Shan State highlands were known for opium. When farmers were encouraged to replace poppy fields with alternative crops, most alternatives failed. Coffee was different.
U Ye Myint (right) and Ko Myo cupping the latest harvest
Meet U Ye Myint
U Ye Myint is a botanist from Mandalay who saw what others missed: the same altitude, cool nights, and rich soil that grew poppies were perfect for specialty Arabica. In 1998 he planted his first coffee trees at 1,100m in Pyin Oo Lwin.
Today his Shwe Yi Mon Estate and the Mandalay Coffee Group connect over 50 farming families to roasters worldwide. Every lot on this website comes directly from his network. No middlemen.
The Estate
Shwe Yi Mon, 80 acres at 1,100m in Pyin Oo Lwin. A living laboratory where U Ye Myint experiments with shade tree spacing, solar dryer domes, and drip irrigation. His MSc in Botany drives a science-first approach.
The Community
After the 2013 coffee crisis, U Ye Myint founded a consortium of 50+ estates to prevent farmers from cutting down their trees. He purchases ripe cherry from neighboring smallholders and processes it alongside his own lots. Direct trade means every farmer benefits.
The Mill
As founder of Mandalay Coffee Group (MCG), U Ye Myint operates Myanmar's largest specialty washing station in Pyin Oo Lwin. Fully washed, honey, and dry natural, all under one roof. Every lot is SCA-cupped before export.
Same highlands. Different crop. Better future.
Proven Quality from the Mandalay Coffee Group
Mandalay Coffee Group estates compete in Myanmar's national cupping competitions each year. Our lots are cupped and graded by certified Q-graders before export.
Green Coffee Offerings
We offer consistent microlots and larger community lots from Myanmar's Shan State highlands. All coffee is hand-picked, sorted for defects (G1), and processed at partner washing stations.
Hopong
Hopong Heritage
Hopong Gold
Tropical Bloom
Blossom Natural
Dark Rose Honey
Ywa Ngan
Ywa Ngan Citrus
Stone Fruit Classic
Pyin Oo Lwin
Pyin Oo Lwin Reserve
Highland Honey
Blue Mountain (Pyin Oo Lwin)
Shan Blue Mountain
Logistics & Shipping
FCA Dubai
Free Carrier from our Middle East hub. Ideal for EU, Middle East, and Asian buyers.
FCA Europe
Free Carrier from our European hub. Reduced lead times for EU roasters.
FCA USA
Free Carrier from our US hub. Direct access for North American roasters.
Packaging
60kg Ecotact-lined jute bags for hermetic moisture protection during transit. MOQ: 4 bags (240kg). Partial and full container loads available.
Export Documents
Invoice, Packing List, Contract, Export Declaration, COO, Phytosanitary Certificate, CoA, B/L, and Insurance.
Harvest & Shipping Calendar
Shan State highland climate patterns
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Processing | ||||||||||||
| Resting | ||||||||||||
| Shipping |
Radical Transparency
EUDR Compliance
We are fully prepared for the EU Deforestation Regulation. Our data is collected on the ground, not estimated.
- Tooling: KoboToolbox & ODK Collect for offline GPS tracking in remote Shan areas
- Precision: Full polygon mapping of farm perimeters, not just single GPS points
- Verification: All coordinates cross-referenced with Global Forest Watch satellite imagery (2020 baseline)
- Format: Data available in KML/GeoJSON for seamless integration into your due diligence systems
Shade Grown Verification
We cultivate forests, not just coffee. Our shade status is verified through site visits focused on biodiversity and cup quality.
- Coverage: Minimum 40% native canopy cover throughout cherry maturation
- Polyculture: Silver Oak, Macadamia, and Avocado integrated with coffee, creating migratory bird habitat
- Cup quality: Shade extends ripening by 3–4 weeks, producing higher sugar content and complex acidity
- Verification: Bi-annual field inspections with photographic canopy density logs for every lot
FCA Price Breakdown
Where your money goes (per kg green coffee)
55% to farmers · industry average: 7–10%
Our Direct Trade Promise
Every lot on this website is sourced directly from U Ye Myint and his network of neighboring farmers in Myanmar's Shan State. No brokers, no commodity traders. A direct relationship between producer and roaster.
We publish our price breakdown because we believe transparency builds trust. If you have questions about our sourcing, we invite you to visit the farms.