There was an interesting moment during the working visit of the Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Wamentan) of the Republic of Indonesia, Harvick Hasnul Qolbi at the Bukit Jangihe Coffee Garden, Guranteng Village, Pagerageung District, Tasikmalaya Regency on Thursday (6/1/2022). Amid his dialogue with coffee farmers, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Harvick directly called the Head of Agricultural Attaché (Attani) in Rome, Italy, Ida Ayu Ratih. In his conversation, Harvick wanted to ask about the opportunity to market coffee from Indonesia to Europe, especially Italy. "What are the chances of our coffee products in Italy, ma'am?" asked Harvick to Ida Ayu Ratih. The woman who is familiarly called Ratih also gave a response. According to her, the opportunity for Italian coffee products, two types of coffee are in demand, namely Arabica and Robusta. For example, in northern Italy, there is more Arabica coffee, while in southern Italy, Robusta coffee is more dominant.
Ratih added that Indonesia has the opportunity to market its coffee products in Europe. Because the demand for coffee there reaches 500 thousand tons which are supplied from Brazil. "The need for coffee in Europe is more than 500 thousand tons because the main supplier is from Brazil. However, Brazil is currently experiencing a decline, so Indonesia has an opportunity," she said. The destination country for Indonesia's coffee exports is highest to Germany. Then followed by Italy. However, the impact of the pandemic has reduced the volume of exports. However, Ratih said that the opportunity for coffee exports to Italy remains high. Because the type of coffee from Indonesia has a lot of fans in Europe. "But it is possible to market coffee in Europe and Italy because Indonesian coffees are in great demand here, especially because they have their blending system," she said. During this work, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Harvick also helped to plant coffee beans and laid the first stone for the construction of the Coffee Production Processing Unit (UPH).
