### Illicit trafficking of Ituri coffee: a major economic loss for the DRC
The Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of Congo is full of quality coffee, carefully cultivated by local farmers. Unfortunately, much of this precious production does not benefit the Congolese nation, but is illegally exported to neighboring countries. This fraudulent practice causes considerable financial losses for the country, and reveals the gaps in the current monitoring and regulatory system.
The coffee grown in the territories of Mahagi, Djugu and Aru is prized for its quality, particularly the Arabica coffee produced in Mahagi. However, more than 80% of this production leaves the territory clandestinely, thus bypassing official export channels. This situation is deplored by local authorities, who highlight the lack of control and supervision of farmers by the competent bodies.
Joel Ular, head of the trade information office at the Mahagi customs post, denounces this illicit traffic that deprives the DRC of precious resources. He highlights the crucial need for stricter regulations and increased border surveillance to stem this phenomenon. For his part, the provincial director of ONAPAC in Ituri, Max Kandolo Lusele, points out the ineffectiveness of border control measures, which allow products to escape to other countries.
To remedy this situation, concrete measures must be taken. It is necessary to rehabilitate agricultural access roads to facilitate the transport of products, to improve the business climate to encourage local and foreign investment, and to strengthen the presence of agronomic services to supervise producers. Such actions would make it possible to fully exploit the agricultural potential of Ituri and guarantee fair compensation to farmers for their work.
In conclusion, the fight against illicit trafficking of Ituri coffee is a crucial issue for the economic stability of the region and the country as a whole. It is imperative to put in place effective measures to control and regulate the trade of this strategic product, ensuring that the profits from this activity benefit the Congolese economy and the local communities that depend on it.