When you think “Japan,” you probably still think “tea.” But Japan is the world’s third-largest importer of coffee, and imports 100 percent of the coffee sold in the country. Those facts aren’t lost on the state’s coffee industry, which includes
When you think “Japan,” you probably still think “tea.”
But Japan is the
world’s third-largest importer of coffee, and imports 100 percent of the coffee
sold in the country.
Those facts aren’t lost on the state’s coffee
industry, which includes Kaua’i Coffee Company.
Frank Kiger, vice president
and general manager of Kaua’i Coffee Company and president of the Hawai’i
Coffee Association, was pleased to have recently hosted representatives from a
dozen of Japan’s major coffee product manufacturers and distributors.
They
are some of the members of the Japan-Hawai’i Coffee Association, established a
year ago to facilitate the exchange of information on Hawai’i coffee and the
distinct Japanese export market.
Currently, the association members include
24 Japanese companies and at least nine Hawai’i coffee companies.
The
coffee industry is Hawai’i’s sixth-largest commodity, with 1999 production
value estimated at $21 million.
While in the state, the visitors toured
coffee farms and processing facilities on O’ahu, Maui, Moloka’i, the Big
Island, and Numila’s Kaua’i Coffee Company digs.
“Making new friendships
and renewing long-lasting relationships is an essential part of a better
understanding of each other’s business, so that we can move forward and
complete the coffee circle ‘from tree to cup,'” Kiger said.
“The conference
was a great opportunity for the delegation from Japan to see coffee production
in Hawai’i, and to meet the people who work passionately year ’round to produce
our famous coffees,” Kiger continued.
The state Department of Agriculture
and Hawai’i Coffee Growers Association hosted the Japanese visitors in
September.
“Our trade mission to Japan last year piqued interest in
organizing a reverse-trade mission to bring Japan’s major coffee companies to
Hawai’i so that they can personally experience why Hawai’i’s coffees are a
premium product,” said James J. Nakatani, chair of the state Department of
Agriculture.
“The conference (last month) provided Hawai’i coffee growers
and manufacturers with an opportunity to meet extensively with Japan coffee
buyers to learn more about the foreign export market,” Nakatani said of the
four-day event.
