Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández leads Puerto Rican Coffee Industry Showcase

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, Pablo José Hernández Rivera, convened coffee growers, cooperatives, SMEs, and allies of the Puerto Rican coffee industry in the Rayburn House Office Building. The event served as a platform to highlight the challenges and rebirth of one of the island's most emblematic agricultural sectors.

The event was attended by several Members of Congress, including the co-chair of the Congressional Coffee Caucus, Rep. William Timmons (R-SC-04), as well as Reps. Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), who all voiced their support and commitment to the coffee industry and its potential development.

"This is a pivotal moment for Puerto Rico's coffee industry. To capitalize on it, I am promoting three concrete actions: expanding USDA support for our coffee growers as a specialized crop; allocating federal funds to cooperatives that can process and export with added value; and adapting disaster assistance to the island's geographical reality. This is about economic development, jobs, and a real opportunity for growth for Puerto Rico," argued Hernandez Rivera.

Rep. Timmons highlighted producers as the starting point: “Coffee is more than just a daily habit—it is a major driver of the American economy, supporting millions of jobs, fueling our workforce, and generating billions in revenue. But it all starts with the growers. The Coffee Caucus is committed to ensuring our domestic producers have the support they need to compete and thrive, while strengthening every link in the supply chain. A strong coffee industry means a stronger economy, greater resilience, and a more productive nation”, he emphasized.

The Resident Commissioner highlighted the resurgence of Puerto Rican coffee as a high-quality product, sustainably grown and linked to agricultural tourism and national identity. He also recognized the leadership of coffee cooperatives, especially those run by women, and the sector's potential as an economic driver for the island's mountainous regions.

In the wake of the recent tariff increase on Brazilian coffee imports, Hernández highlighted the situation as a historic opportunity for the island: “With the new tariffs on Brazilian imports, U.S. roasters are looking for alternatives. Puerto Rico is not a foreign country: we are American soil, and we grow award-winning Arabica coffee. It is a great opportunity to grow, export, and generate wealth that stays at home,” he said.

The event, held in the foyer of the Rayburn Building, adjacent to the Capitol, brought together countless guests to learn about and taste the potential of Puerto Rican coffee as part of the Resident Commissioner's efforts to bring Puerto Rican agriculture into the national debate.