Bernama Daily (Malaysia)
Monday, 29 September, 2008

JAKARTA: Aceh's Arabica coffee exports in the first half of this year jumped 55 percent to US$15.22 million from US$9.81 million (US$1=RM3.39) in the same period last year.

The rise was encouraging and it had increased the income of coffee growers, according to the head of Aceh Provincial Industry, Trade, Cooperatives and Small Businesses Office, Cipta Hunai.

"Since security conditions in the province became conducive after decades of conflict, growers had been encouraged to cultivate coffee on a large scale," he was quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

Arabica coffee used to be Aceh's key non-oil/non-gas export commodity but its export volume and value dropped drastically after the conflict started.

"It has since recovered following the signing in Helsinki on Aug 15, 2005 of a peace deal," he said.

Among the biggest importers were the US with 2.94 million tonnes worth US$10.5 million, Canada with 234,300 tons (US$966,450) and Mexico with 216,000 kg (US$861,940).