North Sulawesi to export coffee to China and Italy

1 min readUpdated Jun 4, 2025Sep 15, 20169:27 AM

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North Sulawesi will export coffee from Kotamobagu City to China and Italy, as demand for it is high in those countries.

“According to a plan this year, North Sulawesi will export coffee from Kotamobagu City to China and Italy,” the Head of the Foreign Trade Department of Industry and Commerce of North Sulawesi, T Hasudungan Siregar, said in Manado on Wednesday.

Steps are now being taken to start the exports, he added.

“Currently, we are preparing recommendations for export. Later we will register exporters for the coffee,” he said.

If once a company has exported about 200 tons of coffee for a year, it would be registered as an exporter, according to him.

He hoped that people in Kotamobagu City would take advantage of this opportunity, as presently, the market for coffee is wide open.

The community must also increase production and quality of the coffee so that if demand increases in the future, they should be able to meet it.

“Consistency is very important in exporting commodities,” he said.

Currently, the Department of Industry and Commerce of North Sulawesi continues to push for the main commodity of North Sulawesi to be be marketed to different countries in the world.

This is important for generating foreign exchange for the country.

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What this means

North Sulawesi's direct coffee exports to China and Italy represent a smart, targeted market entry for a regional commodity. This initiative directly pressures established coffee suppliers by introducing a new origin while capitalising on the sustained global demand observed in categories like food. Unlike Panpuri's multi-store expansion in Asia or Kau Kee's singular retail store opening, this strategy focuses on raw commodity export, which carries fewer immediate operational overheads but demands stringent quality and consistency from producers. The primary risk lies in scaling production to meet future demand and maintaining consistent quality. This will determine if North Sulawesi can successfully join other Asian regions in establishing new export pathways. Watch for the official announcement of the first registered coffee exporter and the initial export volume within the year.

Aiko Tanaka

Questions & Answers

Which specific city in North Sulawesi will be the source of the coffee exports?

The coffee exports are planned to originate from Kotamobagu City in North Sulawesi. This city is identified as the source for the coffee destined for China and Italy, using existing high demand.

What is required for a company to be registered as a coffee exporter from North Sulawesi?

To be registered as an exporter, a company must have previously exported approximately 200 tons of coffee over a year. This volume is a key criterion for official registration, as stated by the Head of the Foreign Trade Department.

What is the primary motivation for North Sulawesi to market its main commodity to other countries?

The main motivation is to generate foreign exchange for the country. Expanding to different international markets is seen as crucial for economic benefit and consistent trade income.

What are the immediate next steps being taken to initiate these coffee exports?

Currently, the authorities are preparing recommendations for export and will then proceed with registering exporters for the coffee. These are the preliminary stages before the actual shipments commence.

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