Starbucks in African coffee moves

Starbucks plans to double purchases of East African coffee in the next two years and increase credit to farmers in the region to improve bean quality.

Starbucks' Dub Hay said they would also set up a Farmers Support Centre, and have pledged to offer $1m in micro finance to farmers in the region.

Starbucks bought $294m of coffee last year and 6% was from Africa. Mr Hay says that will double to 12% by 2009.

Starbucks has been in a trademark row with Ethiopia over the past few months.

More...