African coffee farmers smile at improved prices

By David Mageria

NAIROBI (Reuters) - African coffee farmers are benefiting from a rise in global prices, but higher income will only start translating into increased output and better quality after the next season, coffee officials said on Wednesday.

Robert Nsibirwa, the executive director of Eastern African Coffees Association (EAFCA), said African farmers were hoping reduced production in top producers Brazil and Vietnam would continue to ensure higher prices are sustained.

"We have seen a surge in prices. There has been a correction -- of course prices have gone down a bit, but generally the prices are at a level where the farmer is fairly happy," Nsibirwa told Reuters in an interview.

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