Ugandan Robusta coffee beans are displayed at the Hongqiao International Coffee Harbor. [Photo/Hongqiao 365]
A batch of 42 metric tons of Ugandan Robusta coffee beans recently arrived at Shanghai's Hongqiao Import Commodity Exhibition and Trade Center, also known as Hongqiao 365. These beans are being stored in a bonded logistics hub to ensure maximum freshness and quality.
The trader responsible for this import plans to showcase the beans at a transparent warehouse exhibit at the Hongqiao International Coffee Harbor to allow buyers to sample beans directly through a bonded display model.
The "in-zone warehousing + out-zone bonded display" model has been praised for its efficiency, previously showcasing Ethiopian coffee at last year's China International Import Expo.
This shipment is set to feature prominently at the Hongqiao International Coffee Culture Festival. The beans will also be promoted via Hongqiao 365's cross-border e-commerce livestreaming platform, aiming to expand their brand presence in the Yangtze River Delta.
The Hongqiao International Central Business District is spearheading efforts to create a digital service ecosystem for China-Africa trade and developing a leading zone with radiant influence for Silk Road E-commerce.
In response, Hongqiao 365 has launched a digital coffee industry blockchain, using blockchain technology to provide full traceability, from coffee planting to customs clearance, and enhancing transparency and product value. It ensures traceability "from seed to cup", providing consumers with comprehensive data on cultivation, processing, and transport.
Through the blockchain, consumers scan a code and access data related to the coffee beans, including information on Ugandan farmers and roasting techniques. This transparency not only enhances product value but also opens branding opportunities for African SMEs.
The Hongqiao International Coffee Harbor houses coffee products from 60 countries, including 47 involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. So far, five trading companies have successfully integrated 12 batches of green coffee beans into the blockchain, involving six countries: Panama, Ethiopia, Colombia, Kenya, Mexico, and Uganda.
The Hongqiao International Coffee Harbor showcases coffee products from 60 countries. [Photo/Hongqiao 365]
The bonded logistics center in the Hongqiao International Central Business District. [Photo/Hongqiao 365]
