Chongqing's coffee journey: From Ethiopia to Hong Kong

An experience area at Yirgo Coffee roasting factory in Liangjiang. [Photo/Feng Zhiyi]

A recent shipment of Ethiopian green coffee beans to Chongqing was carefully roasted, leading to the city's first self-operated export of roasted coffee beans to Hong Kong.

This milestone marks a significant expansion of Chongqing's coffee trade industrial chain, transitioning from importing raw materials to exporting finished products.

Ren Shujun, head of Yirgo Coffee (Chongqing) Co, located in Liangjiang New Area, highlighted the establishment of a quality control center in Addis Ababa to ensure quality from the source.

The Yirgo Coffee roasting factory is equipped with facilities for green bean storage, quality control, roasting, and packaging, meeting the demand for "production on order" of specialty coffee.

Chongqing's extensive transportation network, with its robust sea, land, and air connectivity, also facilitates the efficient import of raw materials and the rapid nationwide distribution of finished products.

Chongqing Customs developed a tailored support plan, guiding the company through every step of the export process, from production facilities to testing labs, and from regulatory interpretation to customs procedures.

A customs representative emphasized authorities' commitment to monitoring changes in overseas technical standards and tariff policies, providing companies with timely, relevant information, and assisting Chongqing's coffee industry in reaching broader international markets.