Monday, May 29, 2006

 

American students examine advancement of reconciliation through market expansion

Kigali, RWANDA - A U.S. professor and a group of American students are exploring the link between Rwanda’s expanding coffee market and the troubled nation’s path to social harmony after genocide. Professor Steven Livingston of George Washington University has studied conflict in Africa since 1994, when he found himself in the Great Lakes region at the beginning of Rwanda’s genocide. A series of coincidences brought him back to the country in 2006.

At a May 23 reception held at U.S. Ambassador Michael Arrieti’s residence in Kigali to recognize Livingston’s contribution to Rwandan development, the professor told the Washington File how scholarly interest in conflict could meld with economic development.

"A friend, Kim Easson works in the coffee industry out of Oakland, California, as an advocate for small farmers trying to get a fair price for their products," he said. "Kim has an interest in Rwanda because of how the coffee industry here is helping the country develop. Its specialty coffee is highly prized in international markets.

"So, Kim has had this interest in coffee in Rwanda. I’ve had this interest in politics and conflict in Rwanda and we realized it would be productive to combine these two interests and so we brought a group of six students, a coffee executive, and it turns out one reporter, to look at the role of the specialty coffee industry in terms of finding the basis and grounds for national reconciliation," Livingston said.

While in Kigali, Livingston also ran a two-day media workshop for Rwandan public affairs officers working in government and nongovernmental organizations. The public affairs section of the U.S. Embassy helped arrange the program. (See related article.)

With the price of coffee at a record high and coffee and tea accounting for 60 percent of Rwanda’s total exports, increased sales are helping to pump much-needed cash into farming communities devastated by the ethnic/political violence that killed 800,000 mainly rural dwellers in a three-month period in 1994. "One of the things Kim and I are trying to do," he added, "is not dwell too much on the past but look at the promise of the future. And with the coffee cooperatives and role of Starbucks and other coffee companies interested in Rwanda what we see is that if you give people the expectations of hope from economic development" ethnic tensions are lessened.

Livingston said he sees a connection between expanding the coffee market and laying the basis for social harmony. That is what is group wants to explore and support if possible.

As a teacher and leader of the students who paid their own way to be part of the conflict/coffee trip, Livingston said, "My mission is to understand with my students," understand what social progress can occur when business is the engine for change and identify "what we can do to help."

COFFEE GIVING WELCOME JOLT TO RWANDAN ECONOMY
Over the past five years, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has spent $10 million in a partnership with Rwandan coffee-growers to market its savory beans to coffee lovers abroad.

USAID’s efforts and the high price of coffee on international markets were in large part responsible for the Rwandan economy achieving a growth rate of 6 percent from 2004 to 2005 -- impressive considering the average growth rate among European countries was about 2.5 percent during the same period.

The goal now is to take further advantage of Rwanda’s ideal growing climate for coffee to expand production and bring added value to the product by doing more of the processing now done on the beans outside the country.

USAID continues to bet on the bean as a way to bring sustainable growth to the country with the launching of several new initiatives aimed at expanding exports including spending $250,000 to connect coffee-washing stations with the Internet so market data and communications are made more accessible. (See related article.)
The agency also helped broker a partnership between the giant U.S.-based coffee retailer Starbucks and Rwandan coffee producers with the result that the retailer launched "Rwandan Blue Bourbon" -- one of only 10 Starbucks Black Apron exclusive coffees -- in April. (See related article.)

At an event hosted at the his embassy in Washington, Rwandan Ambassador Zac Nsenga said, "This morning’s celebration is timely. It is happening at a time when we are in our 12th genocide commemoration."

"Therefore, we are not only celebrating a success story of a meaningful cooperation between the government of Rwanda, USAID, Rwandan farmers/private sector and Starbucks … but also the dividends of reconciliation and stability in Rwanda," he concluded.
For additional information on U.S policy in the region, see Africa.

 

TOTAL BRAZILIAN EXPORTS WILL HIT 26 MLN BAGS IN 2006

Total Brazilian coffee exports (green plus solubles) are likely to hit 26 million 60-kg bags in 2006, staying at the same level of 2005, when the shipments hit 26.1 million bags. The estimate was made by the general director of the Green Coffee Exporters Council from Brazil (Cecafé), Guilherme Braga, who was interviewed by SAFRAS Agency at the XVI Santos International Coffee Seminar, that was held from May 16 to 19 in Guarujá, São Paulo. The projection fell a little compared with the start of the year, when the Cecafé forecast 27.1 million bags.

In May, according to Braga, the shipments must stay at 1.750 million bags, down 22.7% from 2.263 million bags exported in year-ago comparative period. The number of May must, therefore, stay close to those from April of 2006, that hit 1.723 million bags.

The director of Cecafé estimates that the first semester will close with acumulative amount of exports (green plus solubles) of around 10.5 million bags.

The second semester will have 15.5 million bags, with the period of crop arrival of the new Brazilian crop contributing to a better export flow.

The domestic trading flow and supply at the moment is naturally lower, according to Braga, as the harvest has barely started in coffee areas. "We are at the end of the midcrop, it is natural the tightness, but that is nothin serious", he told SAFRAS Agency.

Saturday, May 27, 2006

 

The Coffee Olympics

Coffee professional from all over the world gathered last weekend in Bern at the Bea Expo center for World of Coffee & Wbc 2006. During three days, representatives of coffee world and a huge number of other interested people (over 6000 tickets sold) experienced the preparation, tasting and production of coffee, as well as the extremely popular competition, the World barista championship (Wbc) 2006 with 40 representatives from all over the world competing. Apart from the “fame and fortune” that comes along with becoming the World barista champion 2006, the prize includes a much-sought-after brand new La Marzocco GS3 machine.

As part of this world event, that for the first time was held in Switzerland, there were also a considerable number of other meetings and workshops taking place, in order to spread the culture of good coffee. Other than being able to visit over 120 exhibitors present in the pavilion next to the competition, it was possible to watch the third edition of the Latte art world championship”, the second edition of the World cup tasters championship, the second edition of the World coffee in good spirits championship as well as the Brazil latte harvest and Indian cup niche events.

Of course there were also many conferences focusing subjects like scientific research, sustainable development, coffee production and trade. These are some of the reasons why an event of this type is comparable to the Olympic games.

As far as the main competition is concerned the participants were the national champions from 40 different countries. The competition was divided into two sessions, on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th. At the end of these sessions an international delegation of judges decided on six finalists competing for the title of World barista champion.

Among the many parameters used by the judges to evaluate the 4 espressos, 4 cappuccinos and 4 signature drinks (based on coffee) prepared by the competitors, the most important are the sensory and visual quality of the drink, the tamping and coffee dosing technique, cleaning of the machine before and during the show, the presentation and the quality of the show in general.

During the first session some competitors stood out for their creativity and others for their impeccable technique during their performance.

David Makin, the Australian champion, impressed the public for his great creativity, shown while making his signature drink and in having presented to the public a very practical knockbox that he designed and developed.

The Kenyan competitor Jackeline Mweni Muli attracted attention by wearing the traditional dress of her home, accompanied by typical music and dances.

Klaus Thomsen, the Danish competitor gained the approval of the public and jury thanks to his impeccable, elegant and extremely clean performance during which he prepared and interesting signature drink based of panna cotta dessert.

Impeccable performances by Sammy Piccolo from Canada and James Hoffmann from the UK.
The first of the two in particular excited the audience for the superb creativity and class in the preparation of his elaborate synergy cocktail made with coffee, mango and chocolate, and above all for having nonchalantly finished his performance just one second under the time limit.

Emotion and nerves amongst the competitors was palpable, notwithstanding the competitive spirit behind the scenes there was a friendly and fun atmosphere. Many of the competitors commented positively on the performance of the FB80 model machine by La Marzocco, in particular for its temperature stability and the massive steam power that permitted everyone to obtain an amazing result in the cup.

 

COLOMBIA – Likely a drop in production in first half of the year

Bogotá - According to Gabriel Silva, the head of the Colombia Coffee Growers Federation, his country's coffee production is likely to see a drop of 4-6 % in the first half of the year due to heavy rains which have flooded part of the country. However, total production for the 2005/06 season should still reach around 11.5 million bags.

 

New international coffee charter must help poor producers

London - The ICO will be renewing the International Coffee Agreement (ICA). Oxfam and other groups representing small-scale family coffee farmers say that the renewed charter will be vital in helping to level the playing field for millions of poor farming families around the world whose livelihoods are being destroyed because they can't compete in the global market due to unequal terms.

"The current discussions on the future of the ICA present an historic opportunity to address the ongoing crisis facing small- scale family coffee farmers and farmworkers," said Seth Petchers, the coffee lead for Oxfam's Make Trade Fair campaign.

World coffee prices plummeted in 1999, devastating coffee farming communities around the world. Despite recent improvements, the price continues to fluctuate and the crisis for coffee farmers persists. To make matters worse, they don't have enough access to credit and information to plan and market their crops.
"Long-term solutions must go beyond the topic of price and instead address issues including giving farmers the space to participate in international debates - space comparable to that available to the big coffee companies - as well as access to market information and credit," Petchers said. "Since the World Coffee Conference in Salvador, Brazil in 2005, groups representing and supporting small-scale coffee farmers all over the world have been calling on the ICO for greater representation," said Gerardo De Leon of FEDECOCAGUA, a federation of Guatemalan coffee cooperatives. "In Brazil, we presented the ICO with the Carta de Salvador - a declaration outlining the need for greater farmer representation in international debate - and we have elaborated on the Carta in Grounds for Change. The ICO has got the message, now it is time to act."

A recent paper released by Oxfam International and twelve allies (see below for full list) called Grounds for Change: Creating a Voice for Small Coffee Farmers and Farmworkers with the Next International Coffee Agreement, recommends the ICO:

Sunday, May 21, 2006

 

Father's Day Coffee Gift

Father's Day is right around the corner. Why not get him a nice box of fine gourmet coffee? Most dads are hard to shop for. A tie, soxs or a belt just does not cut it. Check out the Father's Day Coffee Gift Box which might make the perfect gift.

Father's Day Coffee Gift Box
Priced at only $79.99 and free shipping is included.

Each Father's Day Coffee Gift box includes 16 oz. of each of the following coffees:
This just might be the give that makes Dad say "Wow!"

Saturday, May 20, 2006

 

Iced Coffee Recipe


Here is a Cool and Easy Way to Enjoy Coffee during the Hot Months

Iced coffee is an excellent drink and many kids are ordering it at their local coffee shops. The problem is that most places do not prepare it right and leave it as a bitter drink which is why it is not as popular as Iced Tea.

Check out this quick and easy Iced Coffee Recipe.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

 

COSTA RICA – Exports on rise in April but down for the year

San José - Costa Rican coffee exports for April were up 12 % to 233,789 bags the Icafe announced last week. Cumulative exports from the beginning of the season are running at 881'483 bags down just under 10% compared with the previous season. ICAFE had predicted exports will rise some 18% to 1.899 million bags in the current season.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

 

Aspartame is safe, EFSA says

Rome - European food safety experts announced Friday that the popular sugar substitute aspartame does not raise the risk of cancer.

An Italian study last year wrongly concluded that the sweetener led to higher rates of lymphoma and leukaemia in rats, said an independent panel of scientists advising the European Food Safety Authority (Efsa).

The new review found that the number of tumours did not increase in relation to the dosage of aspartame fed to the animals. Many of the rats in the study had suffered from chronic respiratory disease and that was the most likely cause of the tumours, the panel said.

The findings support a huge U.S. federal study released last month, which found no link to cancer in a study of aspartame use among more than half a million Americans. The European panel said its assessment should put the lid on years of debate over the sweetener found in thousands of products, including diet sodas, chewing gum, dairy products and even many medicines.

The food safety scientists were also satisfied with the current European level set for the safe daily consumption of aspartame -- a maximum of 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight -- saying that the limit is well above what people consume normally.

The Italian researchers who conducted the rat study insisted that their initial findings were correct and pledged to continue studying the subject. Dr. Morando Soffritti, who led the study for the Bologna-based European Ramazzini Foundation, also assailed the U.S. study, saying that it was an example of how "some researchers are ready to put themselves at the disposal of the industry" that produces sweeteners. He contended the U.S. research didn't distinguish between aspartame and other sweetener use and did not measure lifetime sweetener use.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

 

Coffee Gift Box for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is around the corner and Volcanica Coffee has a special Mother's Day Coffee Gift Box - Mothers Day Coffee Gift. This is the perfect gift for a mom who loves fine gourmet coffee.

Each Mother's Day Coffee Gift box includes 16 oz. of each of the following coffees:Mother's Day Coffee Gift Box - Mothers Day Coffee Gift
Free shipping is included and the sale price is $79.99.

Make mom feel special with Mother's Day Coffee Gift Box from Volcanica Coffee.

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