East Java Kadin Introduces Coffee From Malang To The European Union Ambassador

MALANG - The East Java Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) introduced coffee from the Malang region, East Java, to the European Union Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam Vincen Piket.

Deputy Chairperson of the East Java Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Agriculture and Food Edi Purwanto said the move to introduce this Malang-origin commodity was due to the considerable potential, given that people's consumption of coffee in a number of European regions is quite high.

"Kadin wants to introduce Malang coffee products to the European Union market. This is what underlies us to invite the EU Ambassador to taste the pleasures of Malang coffee," said Edi as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, February 1.

His party appreciated the presence of the European Union Ambassador in Malang, to strengthen relations and strengthen trade cooperation, especially for Malang products that are exported to the European Union.

It was recorded that East Java's coffee exports to the European Union in 2022 reached US$73.9 million with a volume of 19.2 tons. However, the performance of coffee exports from Indonesia to the European Union is considered to be still lower than that of Vietnam.

"If Vietnam goes by land, it's cheaper. We can't compete because of the high cost of distribution. We want to increase farmers' income so that their welfare will also increase," said Edi.

Meanwhile, EU Ambassador Vincen Piket tasted a robusta coffee concoction from Wonosari, Malang Regency which is famous for its distinctive taste. He stated that he was very interested in coffee spices which have properties for men's health.

"Very delicious. The fruit chips are also very good," said Vincent.

Malang Regency Kadin Chairman Priyo Sudibyo said that in the Wonosari District area, there are 100 hectares of coffee land with an average production of 1,000 tons during the harvest season and employs 1,200 workers.

Even though the coffee from Wonosari is in demand by the market, however, coffee farmers do not get a higher income, as a result of selling the coffee they produce in raw form to local companies.

"It is precisely these companies that get more profits, while the farmers profit a little," he said.

Therefore, Kadin will try to provide access to farmers so they can export the coffee products they produce. He hopes, with the Ambassador's presence, it can provide access for farmers to directly export their products.

"If they usually export through other parties, then with the presence of the EU Ambassador they hope to be able to export themselves. Because from the quality to packaging, their products are exportable," said Priyo.

Malang Regency is one of the largest coffee-producing regions in East Java. Of the total area of ​​coffee land in East Java which reaches 113,330 hectares, Malang Regency has a portion of up to 28.1 percent of land spread over 30 sub-districts.

Apart from Amstirdam and Dampit coffee, currently, the coffee produced from several other districts in Malang Regency, such as Wonosari, Ngantang, Lawang, and Singosari are also increasingly in demand by the market.