Maputo, June 12, 2025 (Lusa) - Mozambique expects to produce almost 100 tonnes of coffee this year, under a strategy financed with €4 million from the Italian Cooperation Agency, an official source said on Thursday.

"2,200 families are involved in the production of this crop (...) and (...) around 90 tonnes is the average that will be achieved this year," said Secretary of State for the Sea and Fisheries, Momade Juízo, speaking to the media during the 2025 Coffee Exhibition (ExpoCafé), an event organised by the government in Maputo.

The ExpoCafé 2025 event is being held as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Mozambique's independence, to promote culture and value local producers.

"We need to produce and disseminate knowledge so that we can move forward with confidence that we are doing the right thing [in coffee production]," added Momade Juízo.

As part of the strategy and development of this crop, Momade explained that the government intends to prioritise research, investment and training of technicians, to reach around 5,000 hectares of production area in a 10-year plan.

During the event, Paolo Enrico Sertoli, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), stated that Italy had allocated approximately €4 million to strengthen the value chain and enhance production in Mozambique.

"As part of the funding for the programme [called MAIS VALOR II], training, promotion and innovation around Mozambican coffee are planned, involving roasters, baristas, cooperatives and local artisans," said Paolo Enrico.

EAC/ADB // ADB.

Lusa