Australia has committed to backing Sri Lanka’s coffee industry by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
In early July, Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) and Sri Lanka’s Department of Export Agriculture (DEA) signed a deal to develop Sri Lanka’s specialty coffee industry.
The partnership aims to create a roadmap for Sri Lanka’s coffee sector, outline the gaps in the market, and act on key action points based on the current status of the nation’s market.
“MDF will also work with the DEA to improve the quality of coffee processing, conduct sector-relevant training, and share MDF developed training modules with farmers and processors,” says Lalita Kapur, Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.
“Australia has been a committed supporter of Sri Lanka’s coffee journey since 2017 through MDF. It’s been a long but rewarding road and we’re so pleased see the sector gaining greater recognition with each passing year.”
The DEA, MDF, and Lanka Coffee Association (LCA) showcased their support for one another at the fourth Sri Lanka Coffee Festival in Kandy from 8 to 9 July.
The festival celebrated 200 years of coffee in Sri Lanka and announced the signing of the MoU. The event was attended by local coffee farmers, roasters, retailers, coffee enthusiasts and other key stakeholders in the industry.
The MoU, according to the MDF, aims to unite all levels of the Sri Lankan coffee industry by working with the DEA to help improve the quality of coffee processing, conduct sector-relevant training, and share MDF developed training modules with farmers and processors.
