The Hindu Business Line : ICO blueprint to end coffee crisis

A SERIES of initiatives in the form of international cooperation through the International Coffee Organisation (ICO) are in the offing in response to the serious crisis the global coffee sector is currently passing through.

In a meeting of the International Coffee Council held in London last week, member-governments noted with concern the devastating economic and social impact of the current crisis caused by low prices received by coffee producers, which in real terms are at their lowest in 100 years.

Diversification, increasing consumption, increasing role of the private sector and international convention on sustainable coffee are some of the key areas on which ICO will work.Following the World Coffee conference held in May last year, several recommendations have flowed. These relate to quality standards, production policies, financing for marketing regulation, promotion of consumption etc.

However, the greatest priority should be given to actions relating to supply and demand, in order to fulfil the objective of International Coffee Agreement so as to achieve a reasonable balance between world supply and demand of coffee, the World Coffee Conference Programme Committee recommended.

In order to achieve this, ICO, among other measures, may encourage members to adopt responsible production policies and seek to ensure that international community does not grant credits that will increase the area under coffee.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section
Nilachal to promote use of soil conditioner

Rubber prices steady

Tea industry demands effective regulatory role by authorities

S. Indian tea in for glut-induced crash

ANGRAU to start new courses

Strong trend in gold raises expectations

Dairy industry upset with US Farm Bill

US co-ops: More value, less addition

Food economy in disarray

Chinese silk import surges on low prices

ICO blueprint to end coffee crisis