Gabon

#24 of the coffee-producing countries.

• The tropical humid climate and the fertile volcanic soils are ideal for coffee cultivation and even allow 2 coffee crops per year.
• The coffee is grown for export and today, together with cocoa, is one of the most important resources of Gabon.
  

• Between 1981 and 2012, however, Gabon lost 92 % of the harvest area.
• The reason for this is the low level of governmental support for coffee production, with a focus on oil and mineral reserves.
• When the global coffee prices fell sharply from 2000 – 2004, many coffee farmers moved into urban areas.
• The coffee production and quality of the coffee beans decreased.
• Many coffee farms were neglected or completely abandoned.

• The increasing world demand and higher coffee prices have resulted in Gabon investing in the agricultural sector.
• With the CAISTAB – state stabilization funds founded in 2016 of CFA 200,000 ($ 334.000), the annual cocoa and coffee crops are bought.
• This guarantees at least 3,000 farmers the income.
• The aim is to increase the gross domestic product from 5% to 20% by 2020.
• Initiatives such as wet processing brings the Robusta quality to specialty coffee level.
• In addition, Fairtrade coffee is produced.
• 2015/2016, Gabon exported 500.000 Säcke à 60 kg of coffee – as much as Thailand and Venezuela.

• The fondness for coffee is also reflected in the African and Portuguese influenced cuisine.
• Ground coffee is used as a spice, which gives the dishes the special something.