"North Sumatra`s biggest coffee exports continued to be to the United States, followed by Germany and Japan," Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Coffee Exporters (AEKI) of North Sumatra Saidul Alam remarked here on Monday.
A total of 5,528 tons of North Sumatra`s coffee were exported to Germany in 2017 while 4,454 tons to Japan.
According to Alam, Arabica coffee of North Sumatra is in high demand among importers.
He further highlighted the need to improve the quality of coffee apart from its production.
Moreover, fierce competition exists from Vietnam as one of the strongest coffee exporters known in the international market.
"We need to accelerate the rejuvenation of farmers` coffee crops to increase our production and quality of coffee," he stated.
Rejuvenation holds importance, as there are several old plants produced using fake seeds in North Sumatra.
The AEKI has participated to assist in the rejuvenation of the farmers` coffee crops, including by cooperating with export companies to provide coffee seeds.
"However, strong support from several parties, especially the government and farmers, is needed," he emphasized.
Currently, the price of coffee in Indonesia is soaring sharply due to the rise in coffee demand but limited production.
Reported by Evalisa Siregar
(T.KR-TQA/INE)
(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/A014)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
