International coffee prices may rise for a long time.

The 50th African Coffee Organization Conference was held in Nairobi, Kenya, a few days ago. Participants expect international coffee prices to remain high over the next decade because of a growing middle class in emerging markets.

Industry insiders present at the meeting said that international coffee prices plummeted in the 1990s and demand for coffee was supported by a fast-growing middle class in emerging markets. Roberto Silva, an official with the International Coffee Organization, said: "Coffee prices are not expected to fall in the next 10 years unless there is a sudden change in the supply chain."

Experts believe that the coffee production and consumption potential of the more than 20 member countries of the Coffee Organization of African countries is still great, and these countries should seize the current opportunity to increase coffee production, increase the added value of products, enhance brand effect, and stimulate international and local markets to grow at the same time.

According to the International Coffee Organization, 17 million packets of coffee were produced in Africa in 2010, accounting for 13% of the total global coffee production. In the 1980s, Africa accounted for 30 per cent of global coffee production.

The top five coffee producing countries in Africa in 2010 were Ethiopia (7.45 million packets), Uganda (3.1 million packets), C ô te d'Ivoire (2.2 million packets), Tanzania (917000 packets) and Kenya (850000 packets).