MINISTER of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Karl Samuda has welcomed the increased price per box of coffee to be paid to farmers.

Mavis Bank Coffee Factory Limited announced that, effective Tuesday, October 18, farmers will be paid $9,000 per box of cherry coffee, up from $8,000.

Samuda said he was pleased that farmers are being compensated for their efforts to improve this year’s crop. He also commended Mavis Bank for raising the price paid to farmers before concluding their negotiations with Japanese importers.

Managing director and CEO of the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory Norman Grant said the company was still in negotiations with Japanese importers about the price of this year’s crop. However, he said the increase in the price paid to farmers was due to improvements in the quality of coffee this year.

The increased price will be paid by Mavis Bank and Wallenford Coffee Company, which together purchase most of the Blue Mountain Coffee crop.