[31.05.2004, 14:00]
Russians will shift to the Vietnamese tea ... Russian tea producers of the “Rusteacoffee” Association in the end of summer of this year plan to sign a framework agreement with the Vietnamese tea exporters, according to the edition RBK Daily. Currently the parties hold talks on the possible forms of cooperation.
Several domestic companies are interested in the supply of the raw product from Vietnam in order to reduce their production costs. Vietnam in its turn intends to implement an ambitious plan to occupy 10% of the Russian tea market, according to the head of the planning department of the State Vietnamese Tea Corporation “Vinatea” . The Russian market players believe that in order to reach the goal, the Vietnamese exporters will have to fight against such strong competitors as Sri Lanka, India and China. However some experts doubt the success of the plan. //Rbcdaily.ru//

[20.05.2004, 15:15]
Costa Rican Arabica in Moscow ... Today the small hall of the “Montana Coffee” coffee shop in Sokolniki hosted a presentation of top-grade coffee from Costa Rica. Coffee specialists, representatives of the Russian roasting companies, as well as specialized periodicals were invited to participate in coffee cupping - tasting of coffee at different stages of processing: from green coffee through roasted beans to a ready cup of coffee. Greeting all the participants of the event, Costa Rican Ambassador in the Russian Federation, Plutarco Hernandez Sancho, marked the growing interest of the Russian consumer to the top quality Costa Rican coffee was a really good news for coffee producers of the Republic of Costa Rica. The Ambassador also said that the Costa Rican Embassy was open for any contacts, the policy that would contribute to more active relations between the Russian and Costa Rican coffee. The presentation on Costa Rican bean coffee was given by director of the Costa Rican Coffee Institute, Mrs. Grace M. Mena, who told about the seven coffee producing regions of the country - West Valley, Central Valley, Tarazu, Tres Rios, Orosi, Brunca and Turrialba. Each of the region was presented by a coffee grade of the same name. Specialists had an opportunity to evaluate all sorts of coffee, both green and roasted and taste a brewed coffee. After cupping procedure, Mrs. Grace suggested that Russian specialists should express their opinion. Russian professionals pointed out that several grades of coffee were especially suitable for the Russian consumer - a loyal but not yet very sophisticated in a great range of coffee tastes and flavours. Specially emphasized were the uniquely rich taste and flavour of some of the coffee sorts, which could surprise even professionals. At the end of the event, Mrs. Grace answered the questions of the participants.