Marubeni has partnered with UCC Ueshima Coffee Co. (hereinafter, “UCC”) to jointly invest in the “Enhancing Linkages between the Private Sector and Small Producers (ELPS) Initiative”, the first project funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (hereinafter, “IFAD”) with a contribution from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, to enhance sustainability in the coffee value chain in Tanzania (hereinafter, “the Project”).

 

Outline and Purpose of the Project
Concerns regarding the feasibility of the continued provision of a stable supply of coffee have arisen due to increased demand resulting from increased global consumption and supply instability caused by climate change. Among coffee producing countries, Tanzania produces some of the world’s finest coffee beans, which are popular in Japan and known as “kilimanjaro” coffee, and approximately 30% of Tanzanian Arabica coffee is being exported to Japan. Despite the country’s overall production volume not being large, production sites face challenges as agricultural guidance has not yet fully reached small-scale farmers, resulting in low yields per unit area and a need for improved production efficiency. To address this issue, the initiative will utilize the ELPS framework and IFAD’s network of small-scale producers, while Marubeni and UCC will contribute their expertise cultivated through years in the coffee business. Through these efforts, the two companies aim to build and strengthen a stable and sustainable value chain.

Role of Each Company
Marubeni:   Investigation of local resources that can be used for compost production as well as on-site progress management and reporting
IFAD:Provision of materials required for overall project management, infrastructure construction, and technical guidance
UCC:Provision of technical guidance on seedling cultivation, environmentally friendly agricultural practices, compost production, and post-harvest handling

Future Prospects
Marubeni has been supporting coffee producers in various countries* in order to ensure a stable supply of coffee. The company will continue to increase its handling of sustainable coffee based on the experience and knowledge it has accumulated over the years.

* “Marubeni’s Sustainable Coffee Leaves No One Behind”
https://www.marubeni.com/en/business/food1/2022coffee/