Kenya’s coffee output in 2006/07 (October-September) rose 12.5 per cent from a year earlier to 54,340 tonnes, the Coffee Board of Kenya said.
Coffee exports earned the country $142 million in the year, up 16 per cent from 2005/2006. The board cut output projections for 2007/08 to 42,000-45,000 tonnes from 55,000 tonnes. Output in 2008/09 could increase to about 58,000 tonnes, it said. A crop assessment last year indicated that output in 2007/08 could fall to below 42,000 tonnes due to coffee berry disease. Coffee production in Kenya has been declining from a peak of 130,000 tonnes in 1987/88 as weak prices and mismanagement forced many peasant farmers to turn to other crops. In order to stem further decline, the government has liberalised coffee marketing to include direct sales instead of a central auction only. Njeru said sales through the so-called “second window” were growing slowly. “It is not surprising considering the intricate nature of coffee marketing and the fact that most of the players who have positioned themselves for direct sales are new players. However, this is changing as bigger experienced players get involved.” The government has also written off debts owed by farmers and established a development fund for affordable credit to encourage the sector. | |
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Daily Nation
