In brief
Chamarel Coffee, the only locally grown coffee brand in Mauritius, is set to debut its beans at Shanghai’s China International Import Expo. Development manager Thomas Lehoux highlights the island’s unique volcanic terroir and the growing Chinese demand for specialty coffee. The brand hopes to build long‑term trade links and tap a receptive market.
In southwestern Mauritius, within the Chamarel 7 Colored Earth Geopark, the island’s only coffee plantation is preparing to launch its beans in China’s foremost trade event of 2026, the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai.
The plantation sits amid volcanic dunes and mineral‑rich soil that the local climate keeps humid and casts gentle sunshine across the rows of coffee trees. The unique conditions, according to growers, help produce Arabica and Liberica beans that carry a distinct, richly balanced flavor profile.
Chamarel Coffee grows its own beans and processes every batch by hand. “The beans are grown on our own plantation and processed entirely by hand… creating flavors that distinguish from comparable products of other origins,” the company explained. The hand‑crafted approach is a central part of the brand’s identity and a selling point for pretended‑premium markets.
Thomas Lehoux, development manager of Chamarel Coffee, told Xinhua:
We would love the Chinese market to discover a rare coffee specialty from Mauritius.
Chamarel’s Journey to China
Chinese coffee consumption has risen sharply in recent years, accompanied by heightened curiosity about different bean varieties, flavor nuances and places of origin. Lehoux said this trend creates opportunities for small‑scale producers like his.
I believe there can be a strong link between us as a small producer on a small island and a big market like China.
The 2026 CIIE will serve as a first‑time exposure to Chinese importers, specialty coffee shops, upscale restaurants, and roasters. The event is expected to help Chamarel Coffee gauge domestic taste preferences and align its products to meet local expectations.
To capitalize on potential business relationships that may emerge from the expo, the company is expanding its 16‑hectare estate. The expansion will allow larger volumes of Arabica and Liberica to be harvested – supplies critical for meeting both domestic demand and the demands of a new export market.
The brand’s presence at Shanghai’s import expo also aligns with a broader strategy of international recognition. “We hope to weave the story of our volcanic terroir into the larger narrative of specialty coffee,” Lehoux added, reflecting a vision that ties local identity with global ambition.
With its beans rooted in Mauritius’s volcanic soil and a growing appetite in China for high‑quality, origin‑centric coffee, Chamarel Coffee stands poised to turn a modest island specialty into a cross‑continental dialogue of flavor.
