REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Association of Indonesia Coffee Exporters (AEKI) will boost Indonesian coffee production from 740 kilograms per hectare to 1,000 kilograms per hectare per year, as part of measures towards ASEAN free trade agreement (FTA) in 2015.
Currently, China is one of the biggest contenders in coffee market. "But we haven't optimized our production," Chairman of AEKI Central Board, Irfan Anwar, said on Tuesday.
More over, coffee-producing countries, such as Japan and US, start implementing tight rule on the export and import of coffee. The Head of Advisory Council of Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Oesman Sapta, said AEKI must help promoting Indonesian coffee to the world.
Sapta said AEKI must open the door to accept foreign influence and give contribution to Indonesian economy while at the same time coffee producers including the coffee farmers get some protection. "Without protection, Indonesia will be flooded with imported coffee," he said.
