Hellenic Coffee Association hosts symposium on industry challenges

The 1st Panhellenic Coffee Symposium was held in Athens, organized by the Hellenic Coffee Association (HCA) to address the evolving challenges facing the coffee sector. The industry, which sees annual domestic consumption exceeding 40,000 tons and contributes over 4.5 billion euros to manufacturing and trade, is facing significant external pressures.

Climate change is a primary concern, affecting harvests in major producing regions like Brazil and Vietnam. Producers are seeking adaptation strategies, including heat-resistant varieties and improved water management. Additionally, the sector must navigate new European regulatory frameworks, specifically the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires strict traceability to ensure products do not originate from deforested land, and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

In Greece, the industry supports over 25,000 direct employees and is a vital pillar of the hospitality and tourism sectors. During the symposium, Deputy Minister of Development Lazaros Tsavdaridis emphasized the sector's economic importance and committed to providing a stable framework to address issues such as raw material costs, taxation, and environmental sustainability.