The Japanese Company, UCC Ueshima Coffee Ltd., disclosed on August 24, 2015, that it would hold coffee quality contest in Ethiopia in mid March, 2016.

Tetsuya Seki, Director of Supply-Chain Management Department of UCC Ueshima, at a press conference held in Addis Ababa said, “We would like to hold the first contest in Africa and enhance the relationship between UCC and Ethiopia.”

Tetsuya Seki said the philosophy of UCC Coffee Quality Contest is “supporting coffee farmers.”

In addition to bringing honor to the winning producers, the contest would advance exchanges in local communities and extend opportunities in seminars for technology improvement in the cultivation and sorting process, the Director explained.

Through this competition, the quality of coffee will be lifted, increased sale opportunities will be created and the income of the farmers will increase as well, the Director furthered.

UCC targets 24,000 producers from Sidama Zone, of which six will be selected.

UCC will purchase the coffee of the winner producers with a premium of 10 to 30 percent added on the regular prices, Tetsuya said.

UCC had organized coffee quality contest in Asian and South American countries.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency