Robusta Coffee Prices Soar, Lampung Farmers Form Ronda Group

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"We have just experienced the price of coffee reaching Rp 60,000 per kg this year. Hopefully, the price will remain stable until the next harvest season next month," said Danuri when contacted from Bandar Lampung on Monday (29/4/2024).

The price of red picked coffee beans or fine robusta is even much higher, reaching IDR 100,000 per kg. Meanwhile the price of ground coffee is IDR 120,000-IDR 200,000 per kg depending on the quality.

The increase in coffee prices is triggered by last year's harvest decline due to the impact of El Niño. At that time, the coffee harvest from a hectare of land was no more than 1 quintal. This amount is far lower compared to the normal production, which can reach 1-1.5 tons per hectare.

According to Danuri, several buyers from various cities in Indonesia as well as from abroad have contacted him. There are even some prospective buyers who came directly to his farm to see the quality of the robusta coffee plants.

“There is quite a lot of demand for fine robusta coffee. There is a buyer from Singapore who asks for 1.5 tons. There are also buyers from Java who ask for 5 tons of coffee beans. But I can't afford it all," he said.

Danuri stated that he still needs to ensure this year's harvest results. Although it is predicted to be better than last year, coffee productivity has not fully recovered. "I hope to get at least 1 ton from the 2-hectare coffee plantation that I have been taking care of," he said.

Coffee farmers have formed patrol groups to help each other in guarding their coffee plantations, especially at night. When coffee prices are high like they are now, there is a concern for theft.

Danuri, also a plantation instructor, continues to invite the Loh Jinawi Farmers Group which he leads to produce fine robusta. The best quality coffee from robusta is produced if farmers are willing to pick red from the tree. Apart from that, they also have to process the post-harvest coffee properly. One of them is by drying coffee on para-par.

However, not all coffee farmers are enjoying the price increase. When the harvest declined last year, many farmers neglected their coffee plantations. Limited capital also prevented farmers from being able to buy fertilizer. As a result, their harvest this year still decreased.

Ronda coffee

Purna (48), a coffee farmer from Sekincau, Sekincau district, West Lampung regency, said that coffee farmers form patrol groups to help each other guard their coffee plantations, especially at night. When coffee prices are high like they are now, theft is a concern. Farmers also coordinate with local police.

As a region that produces robusta coffee in Lampung, most farmers in West Lampung rely on coffee crops. Based on data from the Lampung Central Statistics Agency, the production of robusta coffee in West Lampung in 2023 amounted to 52,325 tons. This number decreased compared to 55,080 tons recorded in 2022.

Regarding the matter, the Lampung Barat Police also increased patrols ahead of the coffee harvesting season in Lampung Barat. "This is one of our efforts to anticipate coffee theft in plantations, considering the current high price of coffee," said Lampung Barat Police Chief, Adjunct Commissioner Ryky W Muharam.

According to him, patrols will be conducted alternately, especially during the vulnerable period of theft at night and full moon nights. The patrols will follow the schedule of the harvest season in 15 districts in West Lampung.

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