The International Coffee Council met in Guatemala City from 2 to 4 March 2010, chaired by Mr Rodolfo Trampe of Mexico and considered the following matters.

Membership of the ICA 2007: The Council reviewed the status of the 2007 Agreement.  As at 4 March 2010, 45 Governments (40 exporting, 5 importing) have signed the ICA 2007 and 25 Governments (22 exporting, 3 importing) have completed membership procedures by depositing instruments of ratification, acceptance and approval or notifications of provisional application. The Minister of Agriculture of Uganda deposited an instrument of ratification for Uganda during the Council Session.  Importing Members have met the requirements for entry into force of the ICA 2007 but this is not yet the case for exporting Members. 

World Coffee Conference – the Executive Director reported on the Conference which took place in Guatemala City from Friday 26 – Sunday 28 February 2010, chaired by the President of Guatemala, HE Mr Álvaro Colom Caballeros, and included the participation of the President of Honduras, H.E. Mr Porfirio Lobo and the President of El Salvador, H.E. Mr Carlos Mauricio Funes.  The event was attended by over 1,400 delegates from 76 countries including seven Ministers of Agriculture.  The Council congratulated the Government of Guatemala and Anacafé for the excellent organization of the Conference and the outstanding presentations which were made by the 30 presenters. A report with the main conclusions will be circulated for consideration at the next Session, and proposals and ideas will be incorporated in the ICO strategic action plan and annual programmes of work. Presentations

Annual Review:  The Council approved the Annual Review for 2008/09.  Annual Review

Market reports and studies: Members received a report on the world coffee market situation, and discussed a study on coffee consumption in selected importing countries.  Presentation  I  Study

Projects: The Council approved a new project Enhancing the potential of Robusta gourmet coffee production with the participation of Angola, Tanzania and Uganda for submission to the Common Fund for Commodities.  Project proposal

The project grant agreement for the ‘Competitive coffee enterprises programme for Guatemala and Jamaica’ was signed by the CFC, ICO, Anacafé during the Opening Ceremony of the World Coffee Conference. This US$4.75 million project which was approved in October 2009 will improve the competitiveness of small coffee producers through improving quality and productivity as well as organizational and management improvements.

Final workshops for two CFC/ICO projects ‘Enhancing the potential of gourmet coffee production in Central American countries’ and ‘Diversification of production in marginal areas in the State of Veracruz, Mexico’ took place on 1 March.  In addition, a dissemination workshop for the project ‘Reconversion of small coffee farms into self-sustainable agricultural family units in Ecuador’ organized by COFENAC took place on 2 March 2010.

Promoting consumption:  Members received reports on the implementation of the ICO CoffeeClub Network and the ICO Step by Step Guide to promote consumption and noted that Colombia will shortly launch a new programme to promote consumption in this country. Presentation on promoting consumption  I  ICO CoffeeClub Network

Coffee Sector Finance The Council decided to hold a panel debate on the topic of coffee sector finance at the time of its 105^th Session in September 2010.  

Private Sector Consultative Board:  The PSCB met on 1 March, chaired by Rodolfo Trampe of AMECAFE, and discussed matters including coffee quality, coffee and health programmes, the market situation, and phytosanitary matters, including a presentation by the All Japan Coffee Association.   Mr Robert Nelson, CEO of the NCA of USA was appointed as Vice-Chairman.

Coffee Quality-Improvement Programme:  Members reviewed progress on the implementation of the Coffee Quality-Improvement Programme, which is being implemented by 28 countries accounting for 67% of world exports.  Report

Next meeting: The Council will hold its 105^th Session in London from 20 to 24 September 2010.