Africa's specialty coffee is rising in global popularity, prompting the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) to encourage a shift in export strategy. During the 20th African Fine Coffees Conference and Exhibition in Addis Ababa, officials urged African coffee traders to stop exporting unprocessed beans and instead focus on value-added exports. This move aims to enhance earnings from coffee, as raw beans are typically processed and rebranded overseas, which diminishes Africa's potential income. The conference highlighted the need for improved marketing, quality enhancement, and alignment with international market tastes. With coffee exports valued at over $3.6 billion in 2022, a pivot toward processed exports could significantly benefit Africa's economy. Challenges such as climate change, access to inputs, and market barriers were also discussed, emphasizing the need for trader collaboration and support for coffee farmers to improve practices and pricing.
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