In brief
Chamarel Coffee, the sole coffee producer on Mauritius’s volcanic Chamarel plantation, will showcase its Arabica and Liberica beans at Shanghai’s China International Import Expo. Development manager Thomas Lehoux said the company hopes to tap China’s expanding interest in specialty coffee and secure long‑term trade relationships.
On October 31, 2026, Chamarel Coffee announced that its unique volcanic‑grown beans would debut at Shanghai’s China International Import Expo, marking the coffee’s first foray into the Chinese market. The announcement was made in Port Louis to an audience of investors and journalists, and it signals a new chapter for Mauritius’s agricultural exports.
Chamarel Coffee is the only plantation on the island, located beside the famed Chamarel 7 Colored Earth Geopark in the Black River District. The volcanic terrain provides mineral‑rich soil, while humid conditions and modest sunlight create an ideal environment for Arabica and Liberica trees. The beans are harvested by hand and processed locally, a practice that preserves the distinctive flavor profile that the company says sets it apart from overseas varieties. The plantation’s proximity to the dunes and the volcanic ecosystem contributes to a nuanced aroma that its growers describe as “rich and balanced.” The company currently cultivates approximately 16 hectares, with plans to expand further after the expo.
Thomas Lehoux, development manager of Chamarel Coffee, told Xinhua that the Chinese market’s growing appetite for specialty beans and curiosity about origin align perfectly with the brand’s mission. “We would love the Chinese market to discover a rare coffee specialty from Mauritius,” he said.
“I believe there can be a strong link between us as a small producer on a small island and a big market like China,” Lehoux added.
The expo, which opens on November 6, will see Chamarel Coffee showcase both its Arabica and Liberica offerings. Lehoux said the firm hopes to connect with Chinese coffee importers, upscale restaurants, specialty shops and roasters seeking unique flavor profiles. The company is also eager to learn more about how Chinese consumers evaluate coffee, including preferences for bean variety, roast level and origin narrative.
Lehoux explained that the expo offers an ideal forum to gauge Chinese consumers’ preferences and tailor Chamarel Coffee’s offerings. He noted that the island’s small‑scale but high‑quality production could resonate in a market increasingly curious about traceability and artisanal heritage. The company’s cultivation and processing methods—rooted in its volcanic terroir—are central to its branding as a premium, single‑origin product.
To prepare for potential business opportunities following the CIIE, Chamarel Coffee is expanding its plantation. The expansion will allow the firm to increase production capacity and potentially double its future output. With its commitment to hand‑processing and strict quality controls, the company aims to secure long‑term trade links that could benefit both Mauritius and China’s specialty coffee sectors.
