Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/491377
22 STiR tea & coffee industry international / Issue 2, 2015 (April/May) Coffee Report: Jenny Neill World IWCA Seeking Sponsors The 4th convention of the International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA) will take place in Bogota, Colombia October 15 - 18, 2015 during ExpoEspeciales Café de Colombia. The theme of this event will be "Coffee & Trade Beyond Barriers." Industry analysts and IWCA chapter members from around the globe, members of the international coffee sector including producers, millers, exporters, importers, roasters, and baristas will convene to explore a wide spectrum of subjects. The National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombian (FNC) has partnered with IWCA as co-sponsor. However, additional opportunities to join this event as sponsor exist. In a recent newsletter, IWCA announced it was seeking more partners: "Join us as we make a positive impact on the future of the global coffee sector by empower- ing and promoting the possibilities for women." Learn more: www.womenincoffee. org/sponsorship-opportunities know so well," commented Kehoe. "I look forward to working with John, our finance team and the rest of manage- ment to drive Kraft's strategy and performance as we focus on sustainable, profitable growth." Learn more: newscenter.kraftfoods- group.com/ Soil for Security, Says FAO The head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) asserted that today's model of agricul- tural production is not sufficient to meet 21st century food security needs. "Since food production is not a sufficient condition for food security, it means that the way we are producing is no longer acceptable," FAO director- general José Graziano da Silva told ministers, scientists, farmers, and members of civil society at the France- hosted International Forum on Agricul- ture and Climate Change held in Paris. "What we are still mostly seeing is a model of production that cannot prevent the degradation of soils and the loss of biodiversity – both of which are essential goods, especially for future generations. This model must be reviewed. We need a paradigm shift," he added. Graziano da Silva also underscored the important role played by healthy soils. "Soils host at least one quarter of the world's biodiversity and are key in the carbon cycle. They help us to mitigate and adapt to climate change," he said. This year has been designated by the UN General Assembly as the interna- tional year of soils, and FAO is the lead agency for coordinating the year's activities. Learn more: www.fao.org/ soils-2015/en/ Africa Technical Projects Funded The African Development Bank, based in the Ivory Coast, through its Technical Review Committee of the Africa Trade Fund (AfTra) approved over $1 million to fund four projects. Two of these projects will benefit coffee farmers and others involved in commercial agriculture. "Harmonization of African Stan- dards for Agriculture and Food Prod- ucts," an African Organization for Standardization project, is one recipient of these investments. It is intended to harmonize standards and practices across Africa to "provide a clear and predictable policy framework for regional trade so that institutions may facilitate exchange and mitigate the inherent risks associated with food production," according to a press release issued by the organization. A study entitled "Regional Cargo Tracking System on the Northern Corridor" will also receive financial support from the African Development Bank. Coffee is important as a commer- cial agricultural product for the six member countries – Burundi, Demo- cratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda – of the Northern Corridor Trade and Transit Coordination Authority. "These projects were all carefully selected to make sure that they achieve the goals of helping African countries trade better with each other and to facilitate their integration into global value chains," said AfTra Fund Coordi- nator, Moono Mupotola. "The projects are in line with AfTra's central goal of unlocking Africa's trade potential." Learn more: www.africatradefund.org/ China Travel Shifts Tastes? According to a report by Channel NewsAsia, a coffee competition is brewing in China. Even though nearly 99% drink tea and only a little over 1% drink coffee according to a 2012 survey by Euromonitor, a market research provider. Statistics from the Interna- tional Coffee Organization show the average Chinese consumer indulges in far less java than those in Japan, with an annual consumption rate of five cups per year compared to more than 350 respectively. However, the coffee market in China is growing much faster than the rest of the world. Chinese citizens are traveling more for business and for pleasure than in previous decades, which translates to shifting tastes for food and beverages. No longer is it safe to assume that instant coffee will remain the favored bean beverage there. Companies including Starbucks, Nestlé Nespresso, and Jakarta, Indonesia-based Mayora Group are strategizing how to take advantage of evolving Chinese taste preferences. Leadership Changes at Kraft Sales of roast and ground coffee were not as strong as expected according to financial results released by Kraft Foods Group, Inc. in February. Commodity prices spiking late in 2014 also effected fourth quarter operating income. "While there were some positive developments in the fourth quarter, we did not deliver to our potential in 2014, with the macro environment and our execution affecting our results," said Kraft chairman and c.e.o. John T. Cahill. Meanwhile, the company also announced the return of James Kehoe to take on the role of e.v.p. and c.f.o. "Kraft is the company where I've built my career, and I'm excited to rejoin at such a critical time and partner again with many of the talented colleagues I