ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Representatives of African coffee grower organizations met with Roberto Vélez, CEO of the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC), to discuss mechanisms that seek to increase profitability throughout the coffee chain and safeguard the industry’s sustainability.
The meeting took place under the frame of the 116th Session of the International Coffee Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mr. Vélez met with Fred Kawuma –of the Inter-African Coffee Organization–, Henry Ngabirano –of the Uganda Coffee Authority–, Samuel Kamau –of the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA)–, Ishak K. Lukenge –of AFCA Uganda–, Abdullah Bagersh –of AFCA Ethiopia–, and Jean Mutabazi of Arfic Burundi.
The African organizations expressed their support to Mr. Vélez’s attempt to initiate a global dialogue among all actors of the coffee chain in order to find ways to increase and stabilize the income of coffee growers.
“In order to ensure the industry’s profitability and sustainability, there must be collective action and an open dialogue between all actors of the coffee chain –from the smallest coffee grower to the largest intermediary or roaster–. This will enable future generations to continue enjoying high quality coffee,” noted Mr. Vélez.
The FNC’s CEO also met with the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vierira. Shortly after, they announced that Mr. Vélez will travel to Brazil to meet with government representatives, producer organizations, and industry leaders in an effort to discuss the current challenges faced by coffee growers and potential avenues to overcome them.
Earlier this week, during the 4th World Coffee Conference, Mr. Vélez advocated for establishing a global dialogue between producers and the industry in order to find mechanisms that improve and stabilize coffee prices.
