Meeting Rimini, The Importance Of Coffee In Africa And The Role That Italy Can Play – CoffeeTalk

Uganda, the fifth largest coffee producer globally, is heavily reliant on exports, accounting for 30% of its foreign exchange earnings. Last year, Uganda earned $1,14 billion from coffee exports, but the country relies solely on exports, with 75% of it being exported. Despite this, Uganda’s citizens earn very little from their coffee, with coffee producers earning only $3.3 per kilo of green coffee, while espresso coffee sellers earn $106.4. Andrew Illy, president of Illycaffè, claims that 5 percent of the final value remains in the producing countries.

One of the biggest challenges facing the coffee industry is climate change and the poor resilience of coffee growing fields. Limited research and innovative technologies are contributing to the vulnerability of the coffee value chain. To increase added value and quality, it is crucial to diversify production, improve agronomic practices, and intervene promptly in plantation renewal.

The Inter-African Coffee Organization (IACO) proposes an innovative vision to transform the African coffee sector through adding value throughout the supply chain. The initiative focuses on four strategic methods: political support, research and development for climate-resilient varieties, working closely with private partners, education, training, and capacity building. Italy, one of the largest donors, has collaborated with Unido since 2015, representing Gunther Beger, director of the Department for Economic Transformation and Innovation.

To implement a prevention, protection, and resilience plan for coffee growing fields in Africa, around 10 billion dollars are needed, with an investment of 1 billion per year. International cooperation is necessary to achieve this goal. The Rimini Meeting conference led to the signing of the Joint Declaration between Unido and Iaco, committed to cooperating in the coffee sector to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.

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