By Dan Bolton/STiR coffee and tea
Yunnan Coffee Exchange auction screen
Auction big board at the Yunnan Coffee Exchange
PUER, Yunnan, China
China has emerged as one of the most promising producers of arabica and is developing a domestic coffee industry that already consumes more than Australia's coffee market.
In 2015 the Yunnan International Coffee Exchange became the focal point of the local industry and is now hosting the first Puer International Specialty Coffee Expo | Forum beginning Sunday, Jan. 28-31. A tour of coffee producing areas follows Feb. 1-2.
The event is co-sponsored by the Coffee Quality Institute and includes a list of English speaking presenters. Translators for Chinese speakers will be available.
The event will take place at the Puer Grand Theatre in Puer City. Participants have their choice of two tracks. Track 1 includes topics of interest to producers while Track 2 will be relevant for roasters and retailers. Sessions include buyer introductions and cuppings.
Click here to review the entire list of speakers and scheduled events.
A two-day farm tour, limited to 60 participants, follows. Registration is $325 through Nov. 30, 2017 and $400 after that date. The tour costs an additional $100. Ground transportation and meals are included. The conference hotel is the Dream House where rooms are $75 per night.
The coffee exchange was established to enhance and inspire value and sustainability in the Chinese coffee sector. The exchange provides a comprehensive agricultural, financial, marketing, and management support service network to Yunnan coffee-growing communities and the surrounding Chinese and Southeast Asia growing regions.
Click here to register.