The Government of Mozambique has joined the International Coffee Organization (ICO) for the first time in its history.
The ceremony was held in central London and attended by the country’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Celso Correia, as well as representatives from the country’s growing coffee sector, overseen by Amocafé, in the presence of the ICO’s Executive Director, Vanúsia Nogueira.
“Today we celebrate a historic day for the ICO with the entry of a new member, Mozambique, also a signatory to the new ICA 2022,” says Vanúsia Nogueira, ICO Executive Director.
“Together, we will advance shared priorities that have the potential to diversify economies, build resilience and, ultimately, deliver concrete results for people. I am convinced that Mozambique’s contribution, as a full partner of the ICO and the new ICA, will be crucial in shaping the coffee industry for a bright, sustainable future. Welcome, Mozambique, to the world coffee family, as the 27th African country to become a Member of the ICO.”
In Gorongosa, where the National Park was ravaged by civil war and lost almost all its wildlife, the introduction of green beans originating in Mozambique has provided a long-term incentive for local communities to protect a rainforest that was previously disappearing at a rate of over 100 hectares a year, as the crop is grown in the shade of native trees. 100 per cent of the profits from green bean cultivation are returned to the local community.
Similarly, on the misty highlands of the Chimanimani mountains, organic coffee is produced as part of an agroforestry system, which includes reforestation of degraded and deforested areas of the reserve to safeguard the soil, flora, and fauna.
These practices aim to preserve the country’s rich biodiversity while actively involving local communities. By joining the ICO, Mozambique hopes to contribute to the development of global policies on coffee sustainability and participate in in the exchange of knowledge with other coffee-producing nations.
“This is a historic day for Mozambique as we join the International Coffee Organization. Our coffee sector is growing fast and is an important part of our plans for the future and the change we wish to bring to our country,” says Celso Correia, Mozambique’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
“By choosing Mozambican coffee, consumers will not only enjoy a unique taste experience, but also support local farmers and their sustainable practices, and help preserve the biodiversity of the country’s landscapes. We look forward to more and more people being able to enjoy Mozambique’s coffee in the years and decades to come.”
For more information, visit www.ico.org