TANZANIA – Tanzania coffee export generated US$77.74 million (Tzs 180bn) in revenues from the export of 65,000 tonnes of coffee in the 2018/19 crop season supported by increased production of the commodity.

Speaking during a recently held national coffee stakeholders meeting, Primus Kimaryo Director General Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB) said that the country recorded 30% increase in production during the season from 50,000 tonnes in the previous year.

Mr Kimaryo noted that of the 65,000 tonnes traded, 40 940 tonnes of coffee were sold through TCB Coffee Exchange, with the remaining 24 583 tonnes sold through Direct Coffee Export.

The Robusta coffee dominated the direct export constituting 78.9% equivalent to 19 399 tonnes while  Arabica coffee made up 21.2% representing 5,183 tonnes the consignment, reports Daily News.

However, Mr Kimaryo highlighted that during the season, prices in the world market were not favourable to farmers and therefore emphasised on production of high quality coffee to fetch good prices in the world market in future seasons.

“Markets like Fair Trade after certification and organic coffee exports always offer lucrative prices… farmers should in future aim at those markets for they have stable and favourable prices,” he said.

The country has also entered into a joint venture with Café Africa, a continental body, to promote intensive training of farmers on modern production methods of quality beans.

The director said that the board however, projects a decline in production to 50,000 tonnes, with 20,000 tonnes of Robusta and 30,000 tonnes of Arabica coffee in the coming season.

Mr Kimaryo attributed the production decline to fluctuating coffee cycle and delayed rains in the cuurent season especially in the Northern Zone.

Among the major Tanzania’s coffee export destinantion included Japan as the leading consumer accounting for 27% of the country’s coffee exports followed by Germany, Belgium and Italy at 17%, 12% and 10% respectively.

Morocco and United States each accounted for 6% while Israel, South Korea, Spain, India, South Africa and Sweden each consumed 2% of the country’s coffee exports.

In its ambition to increase coffee production targeting more than 85 000 tonnes annually, the country also incorporated the Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI) to promote research and development of the commodity.

Coffee is among the major cash crops grown in the country in regions like Kagera Ruvuma, Songwe and Kilimanjaro, Mbeya, Arusha, Kigoma and Mara among others.