Saudi Arabia Completes Procedures to Join the International Coffee Agreement 2022
In a significant move for the global coffee community, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially completed the procedures to become a member of the International Coffee Agreement 2022. This membership follows the deposit of an instrument of ratification, marking a major step in Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the international coffee value chain. The International Coffee Organization (ICO) and its members have warmly welcomed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the coffee industry and look forward to collaborating on enhancing the global coffee sector.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia made history by signing the International Coffee Agreement (ICA) 2022 at the ICO headquarters in London. This is the first time the country has formally joined the ICO, an organization with a rich history spanning 60 years. The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from the Saudi Embassy in London, including HRH Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the United Kingdom, who signed the trade treaty.
Coffee holds a deep cultural significance in Saudi Arabia. Historically, it was cultivated by the ancient tribes of Khawlan, who lend their name to the prized Khawlani coffee typical of the Jazan region. The cultivation practices of Khawlani coffee are inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Saudi Arabia’s coffee culture blends modernity and tradition, with the buzz of state-of-the-art espresso machines in Riyadh’s coffee outlets intertwining with the comforting echoes of ancestral practices in homes across the nation. The serving of qahwa, often flavored with cardamom and poured into small ornate cups called finjan, is a distinctive cultural ritual and a symbol of the Kingdom’s rich history and hospitality.
The ICO Executive Director, Vanúsia Nogueira, expressed her enthusiasm for Saudi Arabia’s membership, highlighting the potential for enhanced international cooperation and sustainability in the coffee sector. HRH Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud emphasized the importance of this step for the Kingdom, noting the growth and future plans of the Saudi coffee industry.
Public Investment Fund (PIF) launched the Saudi Coffee Company in May 2022, investing $319 million over the next ten years to boost national coffee production from 300 tons per year to 2,500 tons per year, with a focus on sustainability across the production, distribution, and marketing aspects of the coffee supply chain. In recent years, Saudi Arabia’s coffee consumption has seen a substantial increase, with the market growing at an annual rate of 9%. By 2030, the country aims to be a leading producer of high-quality coffee, contributing significantly to the global market.
The ICO, the only intergovernmental organization supporting exporting and importing countries to improve the sustainability of the coffee sector, provides a high-level forum for all public and private stakeholders. It offers official statistics on coffee production, trade, and consumption, and supports the development and funding of technical cooperation projects and public-private partnerships. The ICA 2022, the eighth agreement since the ICO’s establishment, engages exporting and importing governments, the private sector, and civil society to achieve a more sustainable and prosperous coffee sector.
