What is the Annual Coffee Production in Angola? Smallholder Coffee Farming in Angola

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Joao Neto stated that the government plans to invest $130 million in the coffee industry starting in 2010, and will provide $150 million in low-interest loans to farmers investing in the coffee industry.

"Our goal is to increase coffee production to the levels achieved before the civil war," said Joao Neto. "Although we still only export half of what we produce, higher coffee prices are clearly helping production."

Last year, world coffee production declined, but the price of Robusta coffee produced in Angola rose by 45% to $2,650 per ton.

"Production is growing by about 30% annually and should reach 17,000 tons this year," Neto said.

He said that coffee exports in 2009 should be around 8,000 tons, higher than last year's 6,000 tons. Neto expects commercial coffee production to reach 50,000 tons annually by 2013.

Devastation and Recovery

Devastated by the 1975-2002 civil war, the African nation's coffee industry still has a long way to go to reach the production levels of 200,000 tons per year achieved in the 1970s. But coffee farms are gradually replacing basic food crops such as cassava and corn.

Angola was the world's fourth-largest coffee exporter before the civil war.

The government is teaching farmers how to produce more coffee, providing them with vehicles and modern roasting and grinding machines to accelerate the revival of Angola's once-thriving coffee industry.

It views agriculture as a way to lift millions of Angolans out of poverty. Although the country has vast oil and diamond reserves, about two-thirds of the population lives on less than $2 per day.

Neto expressed that it's only a matter of time before the coffee industry becomes Angola's major industry. Private investors have already taken notice. Among them is Bela Negra, a local major organic Robusta bean producer.

Last week, Chevron, a major investor in Angola's oil industry and petroleum giant, signed an agreement with the United States Agency for International Development to develop Angola's coffee and banana industries.

"The coffee industry is becoming increasingly attractive to investors, mainly due to recent increases in local consumption and rising world coffee prices," Neto stated.

"Wherever I go, I see people buying coffee. Sadly, most coffee in Angola is still imported from countries like Brazil."

Angola's main export is oil, which accounts for about 90% of its revenue. It could rival Nigeria as Africa's largest oil producer.

Challenges in Coffee Cultivation

During the war, many coffee farms were abandoned, and some coffee farms still remain plagued by landmines, unattended, with coffee crops unharvested.

Many ancient Angolan coffee plantations also suffer from poor care of coffee plants, many of which are very old and may be affected by coffee diseases and pests. There is also a lack of banking systems and credit as well as infrastructure to support farmers.

Generally, Angolan coffee is grown organically, but the country's lack of infrastructure and interest means there is currently no organically certified coffee.

Angola's Coffee Industry Recovery Project

In March 2006, the International Coffee Organization helped establish pilot projects to improve the country's coffee industry. The project was funded by the Angolan government as well as the Common Fund for Commodities.

The project's goal is to provide previously abandoned coffee planting land to four thousand displaced families. Assistance with housing and school construction as well as clinics was also provided.

Transition to Small Farms as the Foundation of Angola's Coffee Industry

About ninety percent of Angolan coffee is grown on small farms, which is very different from the colonial period when large plantations dominated. Due to lack of processing facilities, farmers usually have to sell coffee as dry coffee cherries. Everything from processing to import/export and roasting is done elsewhere, taking work away from farmers.

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