ITC Showcases Leadership in Sustainable Coffee Development at World of Coffee Geneva 2025

Strategic Insights -

At the Specialty Coffee Association's World of Coffee - Europe's largest coffee trade show - hosted in Geneva from June 26-28, 2025, the International Trade Centre (ITC) showcases its longstanding leadership in sustainable coffee development. For over two decades, ITC has worked closely with the International Coffee Organization and regional institutions to support coffee value chains and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. This year's presence at the World of Coffee highlights ITC's investment in value addition, technical capacity building, regional trade, and youth and women-led entrepreneurship.

Key Takeaways:

  • ITC has been working closely with the International Coffee Organization (ICO) and regional institutions for over two decades to support coffee value chains and SMEs across Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
  • ITC's flagship publication, The Coffee Guide, is now in its fourth edition and is widely regarded as the industry reference.
  • ITC supports building resilience, competitiveness, and sustainable value chains for SME development through partnerships promoting circular economy and inclusive business models.
  • This year's presence at the World of Coffee spotlights ITC's investment in value addition, technical capacity building, regional trade, and youth and women-led entrepreneurship.
  • ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton emphasized that coffee is more than a commodity, and the ability to improve coffee quality and sustainability requirements is critical for small businesses to adapt to changes and tap into new markets.
  • The ICO and ITC have worked together for many years, supporting efforts ranging from EUDR compliance and new field procedures to market access and boosting local consumption.
  • Hon. Bwino Fred Kyakulaga, Uganda's Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, reaffirmed Uganda's commitment to transforming its export trajectory from $50 billion to $500 billion through strategic value addition, with coffee being one of the primary drivers.
  • The Government of Uganda has set aside $100 million to support investment in the gradual transition of the coffee sector from green bean export to both green bean and soluble coffee exports.
  • ITC is partnering with various organizations, including the United Kingdom Trade Partnerships Programme (UKTP), the European Union-East African Community Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) II, and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) Business-Friendly.

Statistics:

  • For over two decades, ITC has supported coffee value chains and SMEs across Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
  • ITC's flagship publication, The Coffee Guide, is in its fourth edition.
  • ITC has supported over 40 coffee companies from East Africa to exhibit and engage with buyers through the European Union-East African Community Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) II.
  • The ACP Business-Friendly programme empowers small businesses through value addition, circular economy, and trade development.
  • The Netherlands Trust Fund V supports coffee producers in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Senegal to grow exports and secure livelihoods.
  • The United Kingdom Trade Partnerships Programme (UKTP) aims to increase trade from developing countries to the United Kingdom and the European Union by maximizing the benefits of respective Economic Partnership Agreements and the United Kingdom's Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
  • The Government of Uganda has set aside $100 million to support investment in the gradual transition of the coffee sector from green bean export to both green bean and soluble coffee exports.

Sources:

  • ITC
  • International Coffee Organization (ICO)
  • World of Coffee Geneva 2025
  • M2 PressWIRE (28 June 2025)
  • ((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.m2.co.uk on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.co.uk))