2024-02-15 22:09:46
Although Ecuador has shown its potential and quality in the world market with coffee by participating in international rounds, the hectare is not enough to be able to send the necessary quantity that a market like China will require.
Pablo Pinargotemanager of the Ecuadorian National Coffee Association, Anecafe, explained to this medium the needs of the sector to face this challenge with the recent approval of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China
According to Pinargote, with the elimination of tariffs of 8% for coffee beans and 12% for industrialized coffee, a vast market is visible in China, with millions of potential consumers. He stressed the importance of refocusing on coffee planting in Ecuador and taking advantage of this trade agreement.
Although there is interest from Chinese buyers, a challenge is identified in the current production capacity, which does not satisfy the demands of the international market. The competition from soluble coffee and the need to increase production volumes to be competitive are highlighted.
According to estimates, Ecuador produces around 200,000 bags of coffee on 30,000 hectares, while internal demand exceeds 300,000 bags. Faced with this gap, the private sector proposes the need to boost production through the incorporation of 50,000 new hectares and the generation of 3 million bags to satisfy both domestic demand and exports.
Pinargote highlighted the importance of encouraging farmers and producers, proposing a special line of credit for coffee with a three-year grace period and interest rates of less than 10%. This approach, supported by a collaboration between the government and the private sector, seeks not only to boost coffee production but also to generate employment and foreign exchange to strengthen the national economy.
In summary, the positive news of the FTA with China opens doors to new opportunities, but the urgent need for investment and support for the Ecuadorian coffee sector is highlighted, presenting a call to action from both the government and private initiative.