Happy Ever After for Kenyan Coffee?
Once upon a time, Kenya’s best export was coffee. Thanks to the volcanic earth in parts of the country, Kenyans can successfully grow the Arabica coffee bean, which is much loved by coffee-connoisseurs and global demand was especially high in the 1970s, the golden age of Kenyan coffee.
However, this is not the end of the story. Coffee exports in Kenya have fallen recently. Published statistics show that whereas the country had an output of 130,000 tonnes in 1997, the results in 2010 were only 36,000 tonnes. The country needs to urgently increase its output, maximise coffee yields and re-energise the next generations to invest time and training in the industry.
A change is on the wind, however. The global prices of Kenyan coffee have recently skyrocketed, increasing around 100% for some of the best coffee: the figures are the highest they have been for 40 years.
Why has this happened? There are several answers to this question. The spreading coffee culture across the globe is increasing demand – especially now that countries such as India are catching the caffeine bug. Also, other traditional coffee-producing nations have suffered recently, such as the bad weather adversely affecting Columbian crops.
Is there are a light on the horizon for long-term recovery for Kenyan coffee? Provided the country rejuvenates the next generation with knowledge of the industry and farming skills, there is still hope. The latest coffee prices are encouraging workers to return to their family farms to learn the trade. Yields need to increase too, as there is room for improvement. There is much to play for.