Coffee is the one of the most traded commodity in the world. Since its introduction in Europe in the 16th century, coffee consumption has grown steadily. Nowadays, coffee has become a mass product consumed daily by millions of people and is the subject of great interest and speculation worldwide.

CONTEXT

Coffee plays a leading role in the livelihood of Ugandans and contributes substantially to the national economy. Nearly 42% of farming households (1.7 million, 21% of the population) grow some coffee and coffee has contributed an average 30% to the country’s foreign exchange earnings over the past 20 years.The Government of Uganda regards coffee as a strategic commodity whose development should be accelerated to enhance agricultural production and productivity.Uganda has generally favourable farming conditions for coffee in terms of altitude, climate, rainfall and soils. Coffee is available throughout the year due to equatorial conditions. However many areas face declining soil fertility. Over the next 25 years, the effects of climate change pose real threats in terms of increasing temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events such as floods and droughts. This may affect pests and diseases prevalence.

CONTEXT

Coffee is the second highest valued agriculture export after tobacco in Tanzania.The economy of the country is mainly based on agriculture. And coffee is one of Tanzania’s primary agricultural export commodities. Over the past 30 years, it is accounting for about 5% of total exports value, and generating export earnings averaging USD 100 million per year. More than 90% of the countries output originates from small farmers rather than estates and provides employment to 400,00 families and affect more than 2.4 million citizens directly (10% of the population).But coffee is also among of the long stagnated industries under agricultural sector for last 15 years with average production in the range of 800,000 to 1,000,000 bags annually. Yields have continuously decreased and quality potential has not been fully exploited, thus contributing to low farm gate prices, and the development of rural poverty.Tanzania has a long tradition of coffee growing. It provides abundant land with appropriate altitude, temperature, rainfall and suitable soil for high quality arabica and robusta production.Tanzanian coffee production averages between 30-40,000 metric tons annually of which approximately 70% is Arabica and 30% is Robusta.

Coffee Behind The Scenes : what is it?