Hon. Eng. Vitumbiko Mumba, the Minister of Trade and Industry for Malawi, accompanied by the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador of the Republic of Malawi to Japan, the Director General of MITC, and the Director for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, held a productive meeting with Mr. Araki, the CEO of Ataka Trading, in the company of his Marketing Director, at the company’s office in Japan. This meeting aimed to discuss the importation of Malawian coffee, particularly the renowned Misuku coffee, and to strengthen bilateral trade relationships.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ataka Trading, Mr. Araki, presented that Ataka was a major importer and distributor of coffee in Japan, supplying various outlets across the country. This extensive network provides a valuable opportunity for increasing the reach of Malawian coffee, particularly Misuku coffee, within the Japanese market.
Mr. Araki highlighted the increasing popularity of Misuku coffee among consumers in Japan, sharing its reputation as a top choice for quality coffee. He indicated that Ataka Trading would be interested in increasing the volumes of imports but noted that a corresponding increase in production volumes in Malawi would be necessary to meet this heightened demand, as currently his company is scrambling for the same Misuku coffee with the European market.
Minister Mumba expressed sincere appreciation for Ataka Trading’s commitment as one of the few companies actively importing coffee from Malawi. He recognized their significant role in enhancing the visibility of Malawian coffee in international markets.
The Minister assured Mr. Araki of the Malawian government’s readiness to streamline all processes associated with coffee production and export. He emphasized that the government is dedicated to supporting the enhancement of coffee production for both local farmers and international markets. Additionally, Minister Mumba commended Ataka Trading for its partnership with SEIBO, where proceeds from coffee sales are directed towards supporting Malawian children with essential social amenities. This initiative plays a vital role in motivating students to stay in school, reflecting Ataka’s commitment to social responsibility.
