PH Embassy to Promote PH Coffee, Chocolate, Herbal Teas in Russia
Left photo from left: Third Secretary and Vice Consul Grace Perpetua, Head of the Embassy’s Economic Section, Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta, and Economic Officer Cara Vida at the Coffee and Tea RusExpo 2019 on 12 March 2019. (O. Kaplina photo)
Right photo: Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta examining packs of roasted coffee beans from different countries at the Coffee and Tea RusExpo 2019. Exhibitors provide brewed cups of coffee for professional “coffee cupping” or tasting. (V. Cara photo)
MOSCOW 27 March 2019 — The Philippine Embassy in Moscow will aggressively promote Philippine coffee in Russia.
This is according to Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta after visiting the annual Coffee and Tea RusExpo on 12 March 2019 at the ECC Sokolniki Pavilion 4 in Moscow.
“From seeing for ourselves the wide participation in this year’s coffee and tea expo, from our discussions with experts, and from our own market research, we believe that the Philippines can compete with its own world class coffee in the growing Russian market,” Ambassador Sorreta said.
Russian coffee imports have grown steadily over the years and coffee retail sales represented 52.9 percent of all hot drink sales throughout Russia in 2017.
Ambassador Sorreta said that he has several activities planned to promote Philippine coffee. Aside from doing business calls on retailers, wholesalers, importers and coffee writers and bloggers, “we will hold a coffee tasting reception at the Embassy, feature our coffee prominently in our planned Embassy street fair and other fairs, and even join the next Coffee and Tea RusExpo.” The Ambassador added that he will also include Philippine coffee liqueur in his coffee promotions.
The Ambassador also said that Philippine herbal teas as well as chocolate beverages will be included in his promotions.
“We are very grateful to our coffee producers in the Philippines for giving us samples of their products and to the Philippine Coffee Board for their support. We are also very grateful to our herbal tea and chocolate beverage producers for their samples,” Ambassador Sorreta added.
The Coffee and Tea RusExpo is the largest platform for coffee and tea promotion in Russia and the former USSR countries. The Expo features a mix of exciting activities such as exhibits, educational business programs such as coffee and tea talks, and coffee and tea competitions such as the Tea Masters Cup and Barista of the Year.
This year, there were more than 130 exhibitors and over 6,000 visitors. END
Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta discussing with a representative of KLD Coffee Importers, one of the largest Russian importers of coffee and one of the organizers of Coffee and Tea RusExpo 2019, the growing Russian coffee market and prospects and opportunities for coffee exporters like the Philippines. (V. Cara photo)
For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinRussia/.