Loja stands out as one of the most important regions for specialty coffee production. With approximately 7,500 hectares dedicated to coffee cultivation, it accounts for 18% of national production. This activity involves over 6,000 small producers who grow high-quality Arabica varieties, such as Borbon Sidra, Gesha, Typica Mejorada, and Caturra. Producers in Loja use sustainable practices and harvest coffee manually and selectively, helping preserve the quality of the beans.

One of the keys to its success lies in its altitude and unique geographic conditions. The elevation, combined with a dry subtropical climate and mineral-rich soils, allows the beans to develop slowly, resulting in higher concentrations of sugars and aromatic compounds. In recent years, coffee from Loja has excelled in national and international competitions such as Cup of Excellence ,Taza Dorada, Sabor de Loja and Qima Ecuador Auction.

Producers in the province are developing infrastructure to improve post-harvest processes such as controlled fermentation and careful drying. This elevates the coffee’s organoleptic qualities, resulting in a cup profile that features bright acidity, medium to high body, floral and fruity notes, and a pronounced sweetness..