The Nepalese government is teaming up with the European Union (EU) to promote its coffee in the international market. The collaboration is to improve the quality of several commodities, including coffee. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Supply (MoCS) the $6.4 million (€6 million) project would bestow much-needed infrastructure to bring productivity and quality parameters in line with international standards.
Nepal is currently producing 300 metric tons of coffee against a demand of 5,000 mt. At the launch of the program, commerce minister Sunil Bahadur Thapa expressed his hope that with the successful implementation of the project, Nepali coffee would become more competitive in the export marketplace. Grown at altitudes ranging from 800 to 1,600 meters, 65% of the output is exported. There is increasing demand for the commodity in Europe. Rensje Teerink, the EU’s ambassador to Nepal, said that the coffee industry could generate jobs and help alleviate poverty, if coffee quality met EU norms. Producers stressed the need for more support from the government and development of specialty variants to boost exports.
Learn more: http://www.teacoffee.gov.np/en/news.php