Zambia
Zambia is a landlocked state in central Africa, bordering on seven countries. Dominated by high savannah plateau, Zambia is also flanked by the Zambezi River in the south which culminates in the world famous Victoria Falls.
The majority of the population has settled in the central Copper belt. The climate in Zambia is tropical with the rainy season coming in November and lasting until May. Agriculture, which involves a good 70% of the workforce is mainly at subsistence level. Copper is still the mainstay of the economy, though reserves are declining. Lead, zinc, cobalt, tobacco, and coffee are also exported.
Despite progress in privatization and budgetary reform, Zambia’s economic growth remains below the 5% to 7% necessary to reduce poverty significantly. Privatization of government-owned copper mines has relieved the government from covering huge losses generated by the industry and has spurred the chances of profitability and economic growth. Other recent government initiatives have focused on promoting agriculture, and as a result coffee production is rapidly spreading. The vast majority of production is from estates, though there is a smallholder section.
Type of coffee – Arabica
Main Regions – Country Wide
Marketing System – Direct Sale
Process – Fully Washed
Harvest Season – October – March
Port of Shipment – Duban, Dar es Salaam
Cupping Characteristics – Full bodied
