RUSSIA – Russia has been one of the main destinations for Italian export for a long time. 160 millions of consumers, a growing middle class and an import rate showing, in the last 10 years, a significant increase in the upper end of the market. These elements make the Russian Federation one of the most appealing markets for Italian exporters, despite the political issues.
The figures referring to the coffee sector are promising and they represent a great opportunity for Italian companies operating in the coffee production business.
The coffee market is reaching remarkable volumes. The growth, which started at the beginning of the new millennium, is extraordinary: according to the International Coffee Organization, coffee consumption in Russia has doubled since 2000. In 2015, Russians have consumed 132,000 tonnes of coffee (source RosChajKofe) and a 142 million dollars turnover was generated by imported roasted coffee.
The overall turnover of the coffee market in Russia exceeds one billion euros. These data, combined with a lack of specialised publications able to satisfy coffee experts and enthusiasts, convinced the Bazzara brothers to launch a new project in 2016: a new Italian-Russian edition of their bestsellers The Espresso Coffee Production System and Italian Cappuccino Latte Art.
The project is already raising interest and approval within the Russian coffee sector. We have spoken about this unique project, with one of the most eminent protagonists of the coffee scene in Moscow, Ramaz Chanturya, President of the Rusteacoffee Association and Director of the RUCTIE (Russian Coffee and Tea Industry Event).
“In the last 25 years, the Russian coffee market has taken an important step forward. During the Soviet era coffee was inaccessible for many, but in the 90s it “invaded” the life of every Russian citizen, accompanying them since that day. Nevertheless, our coffee market is still young. Despite the fact that coffee has been an accessible good for a long time and its distribution and processing channels are well developed, it is clear that training is still underestimated both by professionals and amateurs. Although in Russia information about coffee and its market is not lacking, exhaustive specialized publications are undeniably missing. Italy, renowned all over the world for its coffee culture, has the know-how to fill the gaps and it’s a pleasure to know that this project conceived by Franco and Mauro Bazzara, some of the main experts of the Italian coffee sector, will bring their editorial contribute to Russia. My hope is that the books are not a point of arrival, but the starting point of a coffee training journey that will include workshops, masterclasses and other educational initiatives about the coffee production system. I’m sure that the Russian edition of the Bazzara books will be extremely helpful to achieve this goal”.
The Bazzara brothers’ aim is to present the new books by October 2016 at the TriestEspresso Expo. Also the editorial partners of the Coffee Saga are enthusiastic about this project. Increasing brand awareness throughout such an appealing market, with a product that will stand the test of time and promote the culture of espresso is indeed a unique opportunity.
