Strengthening our Japan-jamaica Alliance Through “Coffee”
Let me use this opportunity to offer my heartiest congratulations to the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) and other valuable stakeholders that I deem “Coffee Ambassadors”. In one way or another they continue to positively impact Jamaica’s coffee production of this transformational commodity.
Japan’s recognition and yearly celebration of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day on January 9th is a significant milestone in our Japan-jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Partnership. Both Japan and Jamaica have given approval for “January 9 to be proclaimed as Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day” as the date of the largest shipment from Jamaica to Japan on January 9th, 1967. In recent years, approximately 70% of Jamaica’s Blue Mountain Coffee Brand is exported to Japan.
Truly, it is a great honour for me to be assigned here in this bounteous island of Jamaica that produces the world re-knowned Blue Mountain Coffee which has a reputation of having a smooth, sweet and the most balanced flavour. Since taking up my Diplomatic posting in August 2020, every day, Blue Mountain Coffee has become an essential beverage that I start my work in the mornings with.
Despite the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on current Trade and Exports there is continued hope and prospects for coffee exports to rebound and increase so that the Jamaica Blue Mountain Brand can receive further respect in the world class market. A common belief shared by the Japanese society is that the Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is a premium coffee and an essential beverage to be consumed.
A typical Japanese drinks about 350 cups yearly thus we (the Japanese population of approximately 125 million) are said to consume the largest quality of coffee among
Asian countries. Among the countries which Japan imports coffee, sure enough the JBMC Brand of Bean is highly valued for its taste despite the fluctuation of imports from Jamaica.
Expanding the Japanjamaica partnership continues to be our top priority. In February 2020, the All Japan Coffee Roasters (AJCRA) visited Jamaica and were being hosted by the Jamaica Coffee Exporters Association (JCEA) during the AJCRA’S February 2020 3-day Economic Mission and Coffee Study Tour to Jamaica.
Finally, it is my fervent wish that the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Brand will be further developed and expanded and in so doing, I unreservedly declare every success for the future.