National Programme Coordinator for International Trade Centre, Larry Attipoe
The National Programme Coordinator for the International Trade Centre (ITC) Alliances for Action, Larry Attipoe, has emphasized the coffee sector’s potential to contribute to the growth of the Ghanaian economy.
Speaking at the launch of Ghana Coffee Week in Accra on October 22, 2024, Mr. Attipoe noted that the coffee industry is currently valued at approximately $233.78 billion and is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.4% until 2030.
“We have the potential to produce it and sell it,” he stated, underscoring the opportunity for participants along the value chain to benefit financially.
“This is an important evolving strategic sector of our economy,” he added, reflecting on the ambitious targets set by the government.
Focusing on Robusta coffee, which has recently captured 30% of the market, he remarked, “Robusta by its name also means that it is robust and most resistant to the challenges of climate.” This resilience makes Robusta an attractive option for farmers amid ongoing climate concerns.
“We are not really celebrating the decline of Arabica, but we are celebrating the advantage it gives us to promote our own coffee,” Mr. Attipoe emphasized.
He also addressed the potential benefits for cocoa farmers, pointing out that where cocoa can grow, coffee can too. “For cocoa farmers, this will be an additional opportunity,” he said, encouraging stakeholders to explore the synergies between the two crops.
“We want to draw attention to those opportunities in this coffee week,” he noted, advocating for a collaborative approach to enhance production and trade.
The launch of Ghana Coffee Week serves as a critical platform for promoting the country’s coffee potential and engaging the community in discussions about its future in the global market.
He added that the “ITC exists by mandate of the UN to support more small and medium enterprises to create opportunities for them to produce and trade in global markets with bigger players. Even though they might not have the capacity, we give them that capacity. We help them to understand the market, especially the non-tariff measures that prevent trade.”
SA/EK
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