During 3–7 August 2026, a Thai delegation visited Timor-Leste to conduct an Assessment Mission on Coffee Sector Development and Sustainable Coffee Value Chains. The delegation brought together a representative of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) and coffee experts from Thailand’s public and private sectors, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Royal Project Foundation, the Highland Research and Development Institute (Public Organization), and the Specialty Coffee Association of Thailand (SCATH). The mission aimed to gain a better understanding of Timor-Leste’s coffee sector and explore opportunities for collaboration and partnerships between Thai and Timorese stakeholders in advancing sustainable coffee sector development.

On this occasion, the delegation held discussions with the National Directorate of Coffee and Industrial Plant, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry; met with development partners supporting the coffee sector in Timor-Leste, including the Asian Development Bank’s Coffee and Agroforestry Livelihood Improvement Project (CALIP), Market Development Facility, and JICA; and visited coffee companies and industry stakeholders, including Olam Food Ingredients (OFI), Timor Global, Cooperative Café Timor (CCT), and Orijem Timor. The delegation also undertook field visits to coffee-producing areas in Aileu and Ainaro, including Project Quinta Portugal’s agroforestry center in Aileu, OFI’s Farmer Support Center in Manelobas, and COCAMAU, a coffee producers’ cooperative supported by PARCIC in Maubisse, to gain first-hand insights into coffee production, farmer support, sustainable agriculture, cooperative development, and rural livelihoods.

The delegation concluded the trip with a discussion with the Association Café Timor (ACT), which also brought representatives of two emerging Timorese coffee enterprises, KTON and NR Company, who shared their journeys and aspirations for the development of the coffee sector. The discussion was followed by a coffee cupping session featuring coffees from Thailand and Timor-Leste, providing an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on coffee characteristics and quality. H.E. Mr. Atipat Rojanapaibulya, Ambassador of Thailand to Timor-Leste, also hosted a dinner in honour of the visiting delegation. He reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to strengthening development cooperation with Timor-Leste in areas that align with Thailand’s expertise and Timor-Leste’s needs.

Thailand has extensive experience in coffee sector development through an integrated approach encompassing agricultural research, farmer support, productivity and quality improvement. The assessment mission provided an opportunity for Thai experts to exchange knowledge and experiences with Timorese stakeholders and development partners, while identifying potential areas for future cooperation. The mission is expected to serve as a foundation for further collaboration between Thailand and Timor-Leste in strengthening sustainable coffee value chains, improving farmers’ livelihoods, and expanding market opportunities for Timor-Leste’s coffee industry.