THE agriculture ministry and the Coffee Industry Board yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), with Hangzhou Coffee and Western Food Association from China that makes the Chinese firm an exclusive importer of Jamaican coffee into China for a period of two years.

The MoU will see the purchase, over a 12-month period, through the Coffee Industry Board, of 7,000 kilograms of coffee valued at some US$1.7 million.

“The association will work with the Coffee Industry Board in the first instance to develop a critical marketing and distribution strategy to expand and promote as a premium product, the Jamaican coffee and Blue Mountain coffee brand within the Chinese marketplace,” said Agriculture Minister Chris Tufton. He also stated that a programme would be developed to protect the Jamaican brand and the Blue Mountain coffee brand within the Chinese market against any illicit activities that could compromise or undermine the integrity of the brand.

“We believe we have an excellent partner. The Hangzhou Coffee and Western Food Association represent over 800 cafes, coffee roasters and specialists within China and have built up a tremendous reputation over the past 10 to 15 years as a pioneer and premier set of organisations in the Chinese marketplace,” Tufton added.