Côte d'Ivoire enhances robusta coffee quality expertise

Côte d'Ivoire, the world's sixth-largest producer of robusta coffee, is working to increase the value of its exports by developing local expertise in coffee quality assessment. To facilitate this, 20 specialists recently participated in an intensive six-day training program at the National Agronomic Research Centre (CNRA) cupping laboratory in Bingerville.

The training followed the Coffee Quality Institute (CQI) Q Grader curriculum, led by Rwandan trainer Grace Mukayisenga. Participants focused on standardized cupping protocols, green coffee defect analysis, and olfactory blind tests. The initiative aims to enable Ivorian producers to communicate effectively with international specialty buyers, allowing the country to command premium prices based on quality rather than just volume.