Moshi — COFFEE production increased from 35,501 tonnes during 2009 / 2010 to 55,000 tonnes during the last crop season (2010 / 2011), whereas the price increased by 51 per cent from Tshs 1,300/- to 2,550/- over the same period, a report by Special Projects Unit (SPU) of Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI) has revealed.

According to SPU Agricultural Economist, Mr Leonard Kiwelu, the increase in prices is associated with the increase in global demand of the commodity and that there was a decline in productivity due to unfavourable weather conditions in some of the top world coffee growing countries.

He added that the economic performance of coffee sub-sector is promising, Mr Kiwelu revealed that about 37 per cent of Tanzania's coffee was exported to Japan, followed by Italy (24 per cent) and Belgium (18 per cent) while Germany and United States of America accounting for 12 and 10 per cent, respectively.