Gourmet Coffee Project Project

Coffee is a commodity of crucial economic importance to more than 60 developing countries.  In recent years revenues from coffee exports have fluctuated around USD 10 billion with retail sales of around USD 50 billion.

At least 14 countries are dependent on coffee for 10% of their export earnings and three (Burundi, Ethiopia and Uganda - all of them least developed countries) depend on coffee for more than 50% of their export earnings.

It is a complex commodity in that production involves both agriculture and industry, and we estimate that around 100 million people are involved in the sector.  Moreover, cultivation of coffee -- a broad-leaved evergreen perennial plant -- normally is of considerable benefit to the global environment.

In 1997, the Gourmet Coffee Project was launched by three organizations: the International Coffee Organization (ICO), the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO (ITC) and the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC).  The CFC financed SDR 707,942 (equivalent to about USD 1,018,000) or 72% of project costs of USD 1.4 million.  The remainder was covered by ICO and counterpart contributions from institutions in the participating countries.

The objective was to increase earnings of the coffee producing countries and reduce their economic vulnerability.  This should be done through the stimulation of production of better quality coffee (gourmet) and effective marketing.

In the context of the Gourmet Coffee Project, a number of experts in coffee technology and coffee marketing were selected to coordinate a large number of trials and new methods of producing, processing and, in particular, marketing gourmet coffee.  The activities were all carried out in close cooperation with National Project Coordinators and National Steering Committees in each of the five participating countries (Brazil, Burundi, Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea and Uganda).  Several organizations and companies in the key markets (USA, Japan and Europe) were also actively involved.

During the lifetime of the project (1997-2000), coffee prices in general declined.  Nevertheless, it has been possible to draw a number of valuable conclusions from the activities undertaken.  In addition to a description of the specific activities in the five producing countries and the key markets, the reports describe a number of "lessons learned" and "do's and don'ts" with great relevance for all coffee producing countries.  The project, through the first World-wide coffee auction on Internet, also demonstrated potential of new technologies for the sale of coffee.

It is hoped that the project lessons and  conclusions will be of practical value to a large number of individuals, companies and authorities in developing countries who, in different ways, are involved in bringing coffee from the field to the cup.  There are already clear signs that the work of the project will be taken up and enhanced through new private and public sector initiatives.

The ICO, ITC and CFC are very grateful for the cooperation of the authorities, organizations and the private sector in the countries involved and for the input received from many experts and individuals.