Abstract for the participation of the Myanmar Coffee Association in the conference on Worldwide Perspectives on Geographical Indications (Montpellier 12-15 July 2022)

Suggested presentation of the Myanmar Coffee Association: 

The potential of Geographical Indications for single origin and specialty coffee in Myanmar

Background:

As is the case with the establishment of a national GI system, the development and market access of single origin and specialty coffee is still at an early stage in Myanmar as well. Myanmar produces only 8'000mt of coffee per year and production focuses on a few specific regions. Given the size of the country, the importance of agricultural production, the partly high altitudes and soil compositions, Myanmar has a very high potential to significantly expand the production of high quality coffees. The development of a GI system and the registration of pilot GIs enjoys an increasing importance by the government and also by the coffee industry. Thereby, coffee is seen as a priority product for GI certification given the fact that single-origin coffees are in general suitable as GIs, are often exported, and the potential for expansion of production and export is significant. Added valueand increased production is also expected to lead to better income in remote rural areas and thereby contribute to development.