Angola
The country, supported by a tropical climate with only two seasons, was, until a few years ago, among the five largest robusta producers in the world. Angola produces also a minor amount of good Arabica, suited for blends. Since 1975, this country suffered much from hungers and the civil war, which reduced the production of coffee considerably. Today, the production restarts again slowly. The Portuguese introduced the coffee seedlings in Angola. The country was for a long time a reserve of cheap labor (slaves) for Brazil (1532-1850). There is no doubt that seedlings of coffee-tree were exported in Brazil.
In 2007, Angola produced 36.000 bags intended mostly for export. In 2008, their production slightly increased with a production of 38.000 bags.
Bénin
This African republic enjoys, in its southern part, of a beneficial double rain season, which supports agriculture. Among the commercial cultures of the country the one of Robusta appears. Unfortunately the production, related to an antiquated agriculture, depends much on the foreigners.
According to l' ICO (International Coffee Organization), Benin did not produce coffee intended for export since 2003.
Burundi
The Arabica coffee, which accounts for 96% of the national production, is a soft coffee .
The Robusta coffee, which accounts for 4% of the national production is harvested in the plain of Imbo, next to the lake Tanganyika.
Varieties: - Jackson - Bourbon - Mibirizi
Principal flowering occurs in September while the second and smaller flowering arrives in January-February. The period of harvest is from April to July with a peak in May-June. The harvesting method is manual and selective with several passages (only the cherry having reached perfect maturity is gathered, also called " picking").
The Arabica production represents 388.000 bags intended for export in 2008, a strong increase compared to 2007, whereas the country had produced 209.000 bags.
Cameroun
The culture of the coffee in Cameroun started in 1913. The seedlings imported were Jamaican Blue Montain. The capital city area, Yaounde, which offers the characteristics of a climatic balance, necessary to grow natural Rosbusta, produces large quantities. The Arabica has an excellent flavour, almost spicy.
Altitude of the cultures: Arabica: 1000 to 1800 meters. Robusta: 800 to 1000 meters.
Harvestperiod: September to February.
In 2007, Cameroun produced, all varieties together, 795.000 bags and exported of them 720.000 bags, an approximate decrease of 4,3% compared to 2006. The production of the country went up in 2008 with a production of 833.000 bags.
Central African Republic
Only natural Robusta is cultivated in Central African Republic. The coffee is mostly exported to France, who economically supports the country, strongly afflicted by dryness.
Altitude of the cultures: 400 to 600 meters.
The production of the Central African Republic increased considerably in 2006, with a production of 78.000 bags. Slightly lowers during the two following years (2007-2008), the production of coffee reaches, nevertheless, 60-64 000 bags.
Congo
Washed and Natural Robusta (Canephora and Kwilu varieties) are the only coffee qualities produced in Congo. Coffee and wood constitute, for Congo, the most important economic resources. Coffee is intended for export only.
Congo produced, in 2008, some 3000 bags, a rather constant production compared to the previous years.
Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Côte d'Ivoire appears among the principal coffee producers. The produced quantities are such as the country can satisfy most of the world demand with its natural and washed Robusta. Part of the production is used in the preparation of instant coffee. In addition to Robusta, Côte d'Ivoire produces also Arabusta -- a cross between Arabica and Robusta, that gives this coffee only the good sides and quality of each variety. This coffee is mostly intended for the French market.
Altitude of the cultures: 300 to 400 meters.
Harvest period: October to March.
In 2007, Côte d'Ivoire produced, all varieties together, 2.150.000 bags, that is to say a decrease of 24% compared to 2006. In 2008, Côte d'Ivoire has a better harvest with a production of 2.500.000 bags.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Cultivated species: Arabica and Robusta. The country offers good possibilities either for the Arabica (basically acid) or for Robusta, but all is compromised by the weak selection and the diligence of the production.
Altitude of the cultures: 200 to 1000 meters.
Harvest periods: Arabica: November to January in the North; May to September in the South
In 2008, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, produced 400.000 bags, a slight decrease compared to 2007, where the production had reached the 416.000 bags.
Ethiopia
It is in the area of Caffa, in Ethiopia, where Arabica coffee was first found. Thanks to the climate and the characteristics of the ground, the coffee seedlings grow spontaneously and do not require the man intervention unless for the drying process. With its dark red juice, its vigorous savour, its very soft taste and its high acidity rate, Harrar, which comes Eastern Ethiopia, has three subvarieties: Longberry Harrar (large beans), Shortberry Harrar Mocha Harrar (small beans) and (peaberry and/or small beans). Ghimbi which, compared to Harrar, is richer, has a more decided body and a good after-taste. Gathered under the names of Mocha, the country produces also the following varieties: Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, Limu and Djimah.
Altitude of the cultures: 1300 to 2100 meters.
In 2007, Ethiopia produced, all varieties together, 4.906.000 bags, an increase of 6% over 2006. 2008 was one good year of production for the country which has produced 6.133 00 bags.
Gabon
Located in the equatorial region with high temperatures, this country produces a modest quantity of Robusta.
ICO records a very weak production of coffee for 2007-2008, lower than 1000 bags.
Ghana
The little coffee harvested in Ghana is Robusta. The principal product harvested in the country is cocoa.
Since 2003, the country produces, with fluctuations, approximately 20.000 bags per year. For the three last harvest periods, that is to say from 2006 to 2008, this tendency tends to increase, with productions of 29.000, 30 000 and 25.000 bags respectively.
Kenya
Altitude of the cultures: 1500 to 2100 meters.
In 2007, Kenya produced, all varieties together, 652.000 bags, a decrease of 21% over 2006. On the other hand, in 2008, the production has considerably increased with a total production of 950.000 bags.
Madagascar
The coffee is part of the exported products. The cultivated species are Robusta, Arabica and Excelse. The Republic of Madagascar is an island state located in the Western part of the Indian Ocean, separated from East Africa by the Mozambique Channel, which is 460 km wide at its narrowest point. The capital city of the country is Tananarive.
All varieties together, this island of the Indian Ocean produced, in 2007, 604 000 bags. In 2008, we notice a slight decrease in the production which reached the 600.000 bags.
Uganda
In Uganda, one person out of four is a coffee producer. Their Robusta, called Bugishu, has a full flavour and a spicy taste, is worth to mention.
Altitude of the cultures: Robusta: 1200 to 1500 meters. Arabica: 1300 to 2300 meters.
Harvest periods: October to March (Robusta); December to January in the North; May to July in the South.
In 2007, Uganda produced, all varieties together, 3.250.000 bags (an increase of 20% over 2006) and exported 2.700.000 bags. Always increasing, the production in 2008 reached 3.500.000 bags.
Tanzania
The major part of the Tanzanian coffee plantations are located on the slopes of Kilimandjaro. Qualities are the following ones: Kilimandjaro, Moshi and Arusha. Other plantations grow in the south (Mbeya variety). The Arabica, natural and washed, have a vinous and soft flavour. Robusta is also cultivated and presents seldom round beans, from which we obtain a black coffee and pure, not to be blended nor corrected.
Altitude of the cultures: Robusta: 900 to 1500 meters; Arabica: 950 to 1500 meters.
In 2007, Tanzania produced, all confused varieties, 810.000 bags (a slight decrease of 0,2% compared to 2006) and exported 730.000 bags of them. In 2008, the production of the country increased of approximately 100.000 bags, for a total production of 917.000 bags.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe suffers from fluctuations of coffee production. With a production of 120.000 bags in 2004, the prodcution drasticly decreased in 2007, with a production of 29.000 bags. The production of 2008 was appreciably better, with a total of 50.000 bags.