Coffee production in Angola facts for kids
Coffee is a popular drink enjoyed by many around the world. Did you know that Angola, a country in Africa, used to be a huge producer of coffee? At one time, when it was ruled by Portugal, Angola was the third-largest coffee producer globally! Coffee is still one of Angola's most important farm products.
A Look Back: Coffee's Story in Angola
Growing and selling coffee was very important for the economy of Angola's northwestern areas, especially the Uíge Province. The Portuguese started growing coffee there in the 1830s. It quickly became a "cash crop," meaning it was grown to be sold for money. The first commercial coffee farm in Angola began in 1837, started by a farmer from Brazil.
Most of the 2,000 coffee farms in Angola were owned by Portuguese people. They mainly grew a type of coffee called robusta coffee. In the early 1970s, Angola was the third biggest coffee-producing country in the world.
However, a civil war started after Portuguese rule ended. This war badly damaged many coffee farms. Most of the coffee experts moved to Brazil. Because of this, the coffee plants on the farms grew wild.
Since the year 2000, people have been working to fix these farms. But it costs a lot of money to replace the old plants that are 40 years old and don't produce much coffee. Experts think it would cost about US$230 million. As new roads are built, more businesses are starting up in the province.
How Coffee is Made in Angola
The Angola National Institute of Coffee (INCA) helps with coffee production. It has three research stations that grow and give out young robusta coffee plants. These stations are in Gabela, Kwanza Sul, and Uige. Sadly, only one of them works now because of damage from the war.
Most coffee is grown in areas like Uige, Kwanza Norte, Kwanza Sul, Bengo, and Cabinda. A different type of coffee, called arabica coffee, is also grown. This type makes up about 5% of Angola's coffee exports. Arabica coffee is grown in Benguela, Bie, Huambo, Huila, and Moxico.
Angola produced the most coffee in 1973. That year, it made a total of 209,000 tonnes (206,000 long tons; 230,000 short tons) of coffee. A study in 2000 by the International Coffee Organization showed that coffee production was not a big part of Angola's economy anymore. In 1997, coffee exports were only $5 million, while all other exports were worth $4,626 million. This shows coffee was a very small part of the total exports.
Rules for Growing Coffee
The coffee industry in Angola has rules to follow. The Secretary of State for Coffee watches over the industry through the Secretariat of Coffee, which started in 1988. This group then tells INCA to check on the coffee production on the ground.
All coffee growers must get a special license. This license costs about $40. Growers also need to show that they can properly produce coffee. This includes having enough money to handle at least 15 tonnes (15 long tons; 17 short tons) of coffee. They also need a good warehouse to store the coffee.
