During the opening of the International Coffee Festival, held in Maputo, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Celso Correia, announced that the country intends to increase the number of coffee producers to 7,000. This initiative is part of a government strategy to promote new crops and boost the country’s agricultural economy.
“Mozambique currently has around 4,000 small coffee producers,” said the minister, emphasising that the aim is to add another 3,000 producers, with a special focus on family farming and future commercial production.
Celso Correia emphasised the importance of this project not only for the economy, but also for sustainability and biodiversity conservation. “A large part of coffee production is associated with conservation areas, contributing to environmental preservation while fostering agricultural development,” he explained.
“The agreement signed with the International Coffee Organisation in London in June 2022 has already started to generate positive results. We realised the largest coffee export in our history last year,” he revealed. According to the minister, this agreement creates new opportunities to attract investment and improve the quality of Mozambican coffee, “which is being qualified for speciality coffees and has the potential to reach the category of rare coffees”.
The minister also emphasised that the transfer of knowledge and the use of new technologies are essential if the country is to compete at a global level. “Mozambique is in a learning phase in coffee production, and we must take advantage of all those who can contribute to this learning,” he said.
The goal of increasing the number of coffee producers is part of a wider effort to diversify the country’s agricultural production, promoting crops that can bring significant economic benefits. “Coffee can contribute to Mozambique’s economic independence, providing income for producer families and improving the national trade balance,” concluded the minister.
The Coffee Festival takes place in Maputo on 14 and 15 June, bringing together industry experts, producers and enthusiasts. The two-day event aims to promote dialogue and sustainable growth in the Mozambican coffee value chain. With a programme rich in panel discussions, the fair also offers exhibitions highlighting a variety of coffee products and producers, both national and international.
