Kenya to Host World’s Biggest Coffee Forum Next Year

Kenya is set to host the 123^rd International Coffee Council (ICC) next year, a forum that will discuss the possible solutions facing the sector including ensuring that farmers receive better financial gains.

According to the chairman of the Coffee Sub-sector Implementation Committee Joseph Kieyah, Kenya was given the opportunity by the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) after defeating Honduras. Thanks to the Kenyan delegation to lobbying aggressively during the 121^st meeting in Mexico, Honduras dropped out of the bid.

Kenya will be hosting the meeting for the first time since ICO, a body that brings together exporting and importing governments to address the global coffee challenges, was established in 1963.

ICO member governments represent 98 per cent of global coffee production and 67 per cent of global consumption. The organisation had 50 members as of June 2018.

The International Coffee Council

The ICC is the highest authority of the organisation with a representative of each member government. The council meets in March and September to “discuss coffee matters, approve strategic documents and consider the recommendations of advisory bodies and committees.”

Mr Kieyah said:

“The meeting will open up more of opportunities for Kenyan farmers and offer learning opportunities from global producers like Brazil, Ethiopia, Uganda and Colombia.”

He also added that hosting the meeting will enhance Kenya’s coffee profile. “Our coffee is classified [under] the category of Colombian milds or fine Arabica coffee that fetches the highest prices in the world market,” he stated.

The Cabinet has approved the meeting.