Interview: Ethiopian firm eyes potential of Chinese coffee market

In an interview with Xinhua, Israel Degfa, CEO of Kerchanshe Trading Private Limited Company (PLC), stated that the emerging Chinese coffee market has provided “huge opportunities” for export-driven coffee producers in Ethiopia and around the world.

The Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA) reported that China imported 5,879.34 metric tons of Ethiopian coffee worth 30.4 million U.S. dollars during the fiscal year ending on July 7, 2021/2022, an increase of 31 percent compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year.

Israel stated that the Chinese coffee market represents a new opportunity for global coffee consumption.

“We are interested in the Chinese market because of its potential,” he said.

“In China, our exports are doubling every year, a growth of 100 percent,” Israel said, adding that his company, Ethiopia’s largest coffee producer and exporter, intends to expand exports to China.

ECTA reports that China has become the eighth largest importer of Ethiopian coffee during the first ten months of the fiscal year 2021/2022.

Israel, who comes from a family of coffee farmers, stated that coffee quality and flavors are the result of scientific endeavors and processes, adding that his company operates vigorously to ensure quality and develops ever-improved coffee varieties to meet the expectations of international buyers.

Operating more than 63 washing stations, 56,000 out-growers, and 1,500 hectares of land dedicated to research and development of improved coffee varieties, Kerchanshe produces and exports various types of coffee.

In the past eight years, our company has focused on agribusiness, primarily coffee and other fruits, Israel explained.

Read more • english.news.cn