In brief
Chamarel Coffee, grown on Mauritius’ volcanic Chamarel plantation, will showcase its Arabica and Liberica beans at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai. Production is entirely local and hand‑processed, and the brand seeks to forge long‑term trade links with Chinese importers, upscale restaurants, specialty shops and roasters. Development manager Thomas Lehoux hopes the event will reveal consumer preferences and open new market opportunities for Mauritian coffee.
In a move marking Mauritius’ first foray into China’s burgeoning specialty coffee market, Chamarel Coffee announced that it will debut its locally grown beans at Shanghai’s China International Import Expo (CIIE) this year. The company’s single plantation, situated within the Chamarel 7‑Colored Earth Geopark in the Black River District, uses volcanic‑rich soil, humid conditions and gentle sunlight to grow its distinctive Arabica and Liberica varieties.
"We would love the Chinese market to discover a rare coffee specialty from Mauritius," said Thomas Lehoux, development manager of coffee operations at Chamarel Coffee, in an interview with Xinhua. Lehoux is a veteran of the coffee industry, with about twenty years of experience, and he explained that the brand’s beans are cultivated, harvested and processed entirely by hand on its 16‑hectare estate.
Xinhua noted that the plantation’s environment—characterized by mineral‑rich soil and a moderated climate—provides a favorable setting that imparts a rich, balanced flavor profile to the beans. Lehoux compared coffee’s regional identity to that of wine: "Like wine, coffee derives much of its character from its origin, flavor and quality," he added, underscoring how Chamarel Coffee’s homegrown approach differentiates it from products of other origins.
During the Expo, Chamarel Coffee will present both of its primary coffee varieties. The firm intends to engage Chinese coffee importers, upscale restaurants, specialty coffee shops and roasters, hoping to establish new long‑term trade links. According to Xinhua, Chinese coffee consumption has been on the rise, with increasing interest in bean varieties, flavor profiles and places of origin—trends that Chamarel Coffee sees as opportunities for its unique beans.
Lehoux expressed confidence that a small producer on a small island could forge a strong connection with a large market like China. He described the event as a "best chance to better understand Chinese consumers' preferences and explore ways to tailor products to the market." The company is prepareing for a potential business expansion, having already acquired additional land to increase cultivation.
The exhibition’s timing is fortuitous, given the growing global push for provenance and sustainable sourcing in the coffee industry. With Chamarel Coffee’s plantation working under a fully local and artisanal production chain, the brand is poised to offer Chinese buyers an authentic and traceable product that underscores its commitment to quality.
By introducing its beans to Shanghai’s prestigious showcase, Chamarel Coffee hopes to not only showcase Mauritius’ under‑represented agriculture but also demonstrate the island’s broader capacity for high‑value, specialty products. Xinhua reported that if the event succeeds, further trade missions or import agreements may follow, potentially boosting Mauritius’ export portfolio beyond its traditional sectors.
