BOGOTA – Colombia’s National Federation of Coffee Growers ( FNC ) expressed interest Wednesday in expanding exports into Persian Gulf markets to take advantage of the region’s “exquisite tastes and deep pockets,” according to economic newspaper Portfolio.“The strategy for this year is focusing on markets that can provide greater compensation,” said FNC President Luis Muñoz to Portfolio. ”We see many possibilities in market development, and because of that, we are entering the Persian Gulf region for example.”
Colombia is the world’s leading exporter of the high-quality Arabica coffee bean, which is valued for its softer flavor in comparison to other species of the coffee plant and has led companies such as Starbucks to it seek out for boutique roasts.
Muñoz also said that expanding specialty coffee retailer Juan Valdez is another part of the coffee growers’ strategy.
The record profit reported in 2013 by the coffee shop company have prompted its expansion into non-traditional markets such as South Korea, where 300 stores will be opened in 2014.
Source: [via]
