The history of Mozambican coffee received significant visibility in issue 49 of Coffee Magazine[1]. The publication highlights the fact that the country is “home to unique and endemic coffee species along its coast.” A notable example is Coffea zanguebariae, grown in the Quirimbas archipelago, particularly on Ibo Island. In 1906, this coffee received a gold medal at the International Fair in Lisbon, thanks to its unique flavor and aroma, distinguishing it from the robusta and arabica varieties. The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), through the MAIS VALOR[2] project, supports the export and commercialization of Ibo coffee.
The article also explores the cultivation of another coffee variety, Coffea racemosa, which has traditionally been produced in Inhambane Province. Over time, Mozambique has expanded arabica coffee production to other provinces and regions of the country, such as Niassa, Gorongosa, Tete, and Chimanimani. Currently, over 13 companies are involved in coffee production, engaging around 4,000 farmers.
This progress in the coffee sector has attracted international attention, culminating in Mozambique’s membership in the International Coffee Organization (ICO)[3] in July 2023. A year later, in line with this international recognition, AICS, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADER), the Mozambican Coffee Growers Association (Amocafé), UNIDO, and other partners, organized the first Mozambique Coffee Festival, held on June 14 and 15, 2024.
The festival, which brought together over 8,000 participants, showcased the diverse varieties of Mozambican coffee, with dynamic panels and presentations led by experts from countries such as Brazil, Italy, Ethiopia, and Portugal. The event was a celebration of Mozambican coffee, also highlighting the union of two famous Italian products: coffee and gelato, with tastings of five types of Mozambican coffee gelato. The festival received numerous accolades, with the magazine emphasizing: “participants praised the event’s structure, the quality of the presentations, and the overall experience.”
This event was a promising prelude to strengthening the country’s coffee sector, with the goal of Mozambique becoming a relevant player in the global coffee market. The Italian Development Cooperation and AICS, also through the Mattei Plan (which includes upcoming sectoral initiatives), are strongly committed to collaborating with the private sector, including major Italian producers such as Illy and Lavazza, as well as engaging with government authorities and international partners, to further promote the development of the coffee sector.
The reference in Coffee Magazine represents another important step towards the progressive recognition of the sector’s potential in Mozambique.
[1]The Coffee Magazine was launched in 2012, inspired by the growing coffee culture, especially in South Africa. The magazine is dedicated to celebrating the coffee sector, covering baristas, coffee shops, competitions, and innovations within the industry. Over the years, the magazine has gained popularity and is now published quarterly in both print and digital formats.
[2] With funding from the Italian Cooperation for Development and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) launched an initiative aimed at rediscovering local traditions and enhancing the agrobiodiversity of the Ibo region. In 2019, the project “Mais Valor” was introduced with the goal of reviving “Ibo coffee” to strengthen the resilience of the local population.
[3] The International Coffee Organization (ICO), founded in 1963 and based in London, promotes cooperation between coffee-producing and coffee-consuming countries, supporting the sustainable development of the industry. It currently has 49 members, including both producing and consuming countries.