Coffee production in Tanzania

Coffee plantation on Gibb's farm, in Karatu, Arusha, Tanzania

Coffee production in Tanzania is a significant aspect of its economy as it is Tanzania's largest export crop.[1] Tanzanian coffee production averages between 30-40,000 metric tons each year of which approximately 70% is Arabica and 30% is Robusta. The main growing regions of Arabica are in North Kilimanjaro, Mbeya, Matengo Highlands, Mbinga, Usambara Mountains, Iringa, Morogoro, Kigoma and Ngara. The main growing region of Robusta is the Bukoba area of the Kagera Region.[2] Two new species were found recently in Tanzania's Eastern Arc Mountains, Coffea bridsoniae and C. kihansiensis.[3] Harvest time is traditionally October to February. Ninety percent of the nation's coffee farms are smallholder, with the remainder being plantations; there are approximately 270,000 workers in the coffee industry.

Before 1990, the State coffee board and the cooperative unions were responsible for marketing coffee. Reforms in 1990 and in 1994/95 effected export pricing.[4] Coffee wilt disease appeared in Tanzania in 1997, spreading rapidly and causing serious losses.[5]

See also

Coffee portal

References

  1. ↑ "Case Study Changes in marketing regulations create opportunities for small-scale coffee farmers Direct Export of Premium Coffee from Tanzania". USAID. August 21, 2009. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  2. ↑ "Karibu". Tanzania Coffee Association. 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  3. ↑ "Tanzanian coffee". coffeehabitat.com. April 20, 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  4. ↑ Baffes, John (June 2003). "Tanzania’s Coffee Sector: Constraints and Challenges in a Global Environment" (PDF). Africa Region Working Paper Series No. 56. Worldbank. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  5. ↑ Flood, Julie (30 June 2010). Coffee Wilt Disease. CABI. pp. 69–. ISBN 978-1-84593-641-9. Retrieved 18 December 2011.