China Interested in Buying More Tico Coffee

The Chinese government plans to send an official delegation to Costa Rica to look into importing more of the country’s coffee, according to a statement from the Costa Rican Coffee Institute (ICAFE).

Future Chinese Ambassador to Costa Rica Wang Xiaoyuan and other Chinese officials recently met with ICAFE Director Ronald Peters to discuss the coffee industry.

“Wang appeared very interested in increasing commercial ties between the two countries, mainly in purchasing more coffee from Costa Rica,” the statement said.

Peters said that in the meeting, ICAFE representatives outlined “the importance the coffee industry continues to have in the economic and social development of Costa Rica.”

Coffee consumption has recently increased among the Chinese by about 15% per year. The beverage has become trendy, especially among young people, who are becoming more sophisticated in their tastes and are willing to pay more for higher quality coffee, the statement said.

China lowered its tariffs on imported coffee from 10.4% to 8% after joining the World Trade Organization (WTO).