The export of Arabica coffee to America will increase by five times in 2016, it is learnt from Winrock International.
Arabica coffee is produced in Ywangan Township, Shan State. Winrock, a U.S. based non-profit organization that aids development around the world, helped Myanmar’s quality Arabica coffee to penetrate international market.
Forty tonnes of quality Arabica coffee were exported to America in 2015, it is learnt. Over 2,000 metric tonnes of coffee were produced last year, it is learnt from the Myanmar Coffee Association.
Winrock International is conducting rural development projects with the assistance of United States Agency for International Development.
Myanmar looks to have a promising future in the coffee industry, but the country has not gained a firm place in the market like Brazil and Columbia. At the present time, they cannot keep abreast of those countries in this highly competitive market.
The export volume of Myanmar coffee is small when compared to Brazil, which yearly exports over 50 million tonnes of coffee to the market yearly, and Viet Nam, with an export volume of over 17 million tonnes of coffee per annum.
But industry experts say the quality of Myanmar’s coffee might be able to keep up with top coffee producing countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia.
The export price of special quality coffee fetches nearly US$7,000 per tonne. The coffee plantations are found in Shan State, Pyin Oo Lwin area and Chin State.
Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar
