Coffee production in Martinique

Coffee production in Martinique dates to 1723 and its establishment is credited to the French naval officer Gabriel de Clieu.

Jules Rossignon wrote that in 1723, Royal Physician Pierre Chirac gave Gabriel de Clieu, a French navy lieutenant, a coffee tree to be planted in Martinique.

He gave the seeds to De la Guarigue-Survillier, colonel of the Martinique militia, and to other inhabitants of the island, who planted them.

[citation needed] Clieu faced many challenges while transporting the coffee plant, including a pirate attack and an Atlantic storm.

After finally reaching his destination, he planted the crop, which grew and in a few years, coffee plantations were established in the Martinique.