Best Coffee in the World? Where else but Italy?

It would be hard to imagine Italy without coffee. Italian coffee is an art form with many customs and traditions. It is the main part of the national breakfast and the home to coffee drinks that have taken the rest of the world by storm. Italians managed to invent a coffee culture unequaled anywhere else in the world, even despite the fact, that the coffee itself was discovered in South Africa.

Nowadays there are many coffee roasters present in the country, processing imported green coffee.

In 2011 Italy took third place (behind Germany and Belgium), in the classification of the main roasted coffee exporters, with a volume of 2,5 million bags. The sector has held up mainly thanks to exports, which now account for 60% of total turnover.

This positive trend confirms the increasing appreciation for the Italian coffee from foreign markets.

If we look back in history, coffee was first shipped from the Middle East to Venice. At that time it caused a furore. Coffee consumption soon spread to Rome and the rest of Italy, with imports arriving at the ports in Naples, Bari and Sicily. It became an important staple in the Italian cuisine, evolving in a culture that is still relevant today.

If you want to taste probably the finest coffee in Italy, you should visit Trieste. The Italian port bristles with life and has a fascinating history.

During 2011 the Port of Trieste was able to keep the first position for the import of green coffee.

Trieste’s love-affair with coffee goes back many years, to the time of the maritime trade routes.Its tax-free port status coincided with the coffee craze sweeping Europe.

The port is considered to be the main hub of the coffee trade of this city in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, with exports directed more and more towards Eastern Europe and imports increasingly following routes in Brazil, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.

The port city developed a string of Viennese-style coffeehouses. You can visit still several of them, such as Caffè Tommaseo with its faded bello époque charm.

It is worth mentioning that in Italy the market of espresso machines for professional use is flourishing as well: in 2005 the turnover made up about €287m, of which €212m from abroad (thanks to Asian markets, the USA and Australia).

Basically, the sector of espresso coffee machines exports excellence to the rest of the world, also in terms of style and innovation.

Small Country Big in Rice

If you were asked to name some of the leading rice producers and exporters of the world, you might say China, India, or the United States.

You’d be forgiven for not thinking of Uruguay.

From relative obscurity half a century ago, Uruguay is now among the world’s top 10 rice exporters. 95% of its rice production is exported, thus becoming South America's major rice exporter.

Thus year-round rainfalls, humid climate and numerous water reservoirs have made Uruguay as a medium-sized rice producer and South America's major rice exporter.

The national Rice Growers Association also plays a strong role in Uruguay's rice farming. It represents all rice farmers and negotiates prices directly with the country’s Union of Rice Mills.

10000 Greenhouses Bring Almeria, Spain, Prosperity

Ever wondered how would 10 000 plastic greenhouses look like from space? Almeria,Spain, has it covered. This historic city in Andalusia Province is at the heart of the country's agriculture industry, accounting for $1,5 billion in economic activity.The greenhouses are packed together so tightly that they're visible from space. 

This example of a modern agricultural "marvel"exports almost three-quarters of its crops to other parts of Europe. Several tons of greenhouse vegetables and fruits such as peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes and zucchinis are grown here year round. With just more than 200 millimeters of annual precipitation to support crop growth, the area relies on groundwater fed by small stream aquifers from the mountains to the north.

These gardens are a kind of money-making machines, fueling the province of Almeria's economy.

It is worth mentioning that 35 years ago, this area in the southeast Spain was dry and desert-like.

But with imported soil and fully hydroponic systems the area has been intensively used for agriculture. A mix of thousand of companies tend the crops inside the plastic greenhouses. Temperatures can reach more than 45 degrees Celsius inside the greenhouses.

And one more interesting fact: according to some researches from the University of Almeria, the green house effect keeps Spain cool. The local temperature has dropped an average of 0.3 degrees Celsius every 10 years since 1983.

Macau - Shopping Paradise

Macau is acity filled with surprising shopping environment. The popular buys include jewelry, brand clothes, Chinese antiques, premium beauty products, porcelain, watches, electric gadgetry, etc. And all these commodities can be found in Macau at free duty prices. You name it, they have it.

Macau is situated in the best location to tap the enormous resources and market potential of the China market.

The region has also the best position to receive visitors from the USA and Europe.

With export-manufacturing sector as one of the major industries of Macau, large quantities of inexpensive products are sold in the international market. As a free-trade port with stable currency, Macau pursues a low taxation policy.

The top export destinations of Macau are Hong Kong, China, USA, Germany and Japan.  

Countries with no natural resource but, thrive to become world major exporters

Not all nations are created equally, countries that are rich in natural resources do not need to import as many raw materials. This allows them to concentrate on increasing their economic strengths through income gained from exports . Those countries who have few or noresources, import everything for their industries. Despite thatthough, there are currently 8 economies in the world who thrivedunder such environment. 

The article lists countries that don't have much resources by its own, but still managed to contribute at least $200 billion worth of exports to the world.

1. Japan Exports:

Japan is a beautiful country with beautiful nature. A mountainous, volcanic island country, Japan does not have sufficient natural resourches for its own needs. The country however, built up a very diversified, varieties of advanced industries that are among the world's most successful. Japan's major exports include automobiles, consumer electronics, computers, semiconductors, copper, iron and steel.

2. South Korea Exports:

 South Korea is one of the world's leading industrial powerhouse today. Major exports of South Korea include semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment, automotive, computers, steel, ships, petrochemicals, high tech electronics and information displays. The South Korean economy is still expanding at the fastest pace.

3. Italy Exports:

Though Italy doesn't have many bustling skyscrapers, it is one of the world's leading economies. The Italian economy is driven in large part by the manufacture of high-quality consumer goods produced by small and medium-sized enterprises.The main weakness Italy has is the lack of resources. Major exports of Italy include engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, automotive, transport equipment, chemicals; food, beverages and tobacco; refined metals and high-end luxurious consumer products.

4. Hong Kong Exports:

Hong Kong, due to its size, has very little arable land and natural resources, so it imports most of its food and raw materials. Hong Kong is the world's largest entrepot, the city does not produce much, but it imports semi-manufacture, refine and assemble them, then re-export them.

96% of Hong Kong's exports are made up from re-exports. Major exports of Hong Kong include textiles & clothing, electronics, plastics, toys, watches and clocks.

5.Singapore Exports:

A leading entrepot like Hong Kong, 48% of Singaporean exports are made up from re-exports but unlike Hong Kong, Singapore has a strong manufacturing industries of its own. The tiny island produces 10% of world's semiconductor wafer. Major exports of Singapore include machinery and equipment, electronics, semiconductor, consumer goods, food & beverages, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals and refined oil. The rest are re-exports.

6 Switzerland Exports: 

Switzerland economy focuses on niche industries, specifically light and agricultural industries. Switzerland has very strong food processing and confectionery industry, producing multinational food company such as Nestle. The Swiss also excelled in luxurious watch-manufacturing, with well-known global brands such as Rolex and Swatch. Major exports of Switzerland include machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products and foodstuffs, and the country is the 19th largest economy in the world.

7. Taiwan Exports: 

Taiwan experienced rapid industrialization which transformed it into the world's no.1 hi-tech electronics and semiconductor manufacturing hub. In the 1980s, Taiwan had become an economic power, with a mature and diversified economy, solid presence in international markets.By 2010, Taiwan replaced Japan as the world's top producer of semiconductor. Major exports of Taiwan include computers, electronics, semiconductor, flat panels, machinery; metals; textiles, plastics, chemicals; optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments.  

Leading Milk Producing and Exporting Countries

Milk and dairy products are essential for many people’s diet. In 2013, dairy manufacturers around the world produced about 730 million tonnes of milk. With such a large amount of milk produced each year, have you ever wondered where this milk comes from? Well, wonder no more! The article provides a list of the Leading Milk Producing  Countries  in the world!

India tops our list. Not surprisingly due to its population size, India is one of the world’s largest producers of milk and leading milk product exporter. Total annual production of milk in India is estimated to be 110 million tonnes, enough milk to fill over 44,000 Olympic sized swimming pools! This year the country has set a new goal - to reach a record 140.6 million tonnes. This record does seem possible as Recent years India has seen a significant growth in milk production  due to development of large co-operatives.

Second place belongs to the US. About 72% of the calcium in the U.S. food supply comes from dairy foods. The country's dairy farms produce roughly 23 billion gallons of milk annually. This amount  is still enough milk to fill over 34,000 Olympic sized swimming pools! U.S. dairy farms are producing three times more milk today, as compared to 1960. These figures are not bad for a country with a population almost four times smaller than India’s.

Third place goes to China.  China had one of the lowest milk consumption per capita in the world, but according to the recent statements here has seen a significant increase in both Chinese milk production and consumption. Today, China’s annual milk production is estimated to be 40 million tonnes.

Milk is favourite food in Pakistan and is consumed as fresh, boiled and powdered. Over the  past years the country  has seen a growth milk production  as  a large number of modern dairy farms have been established in different areas.

Fifth on our list is Russia. Recent figures show Russia’s annual milk production is estimated to be 34 million tonnes. Like China, Russia is also one of the world’s largest importers of dairy products.

More than 13 billion liters of milk are produced annually on New Zealand's 13,500 dairy farms. Dairy farming is considered to be a part of a proud agricultural tradition in New Zealand. It is an interesting fact that in New Zealand most of the milk is processed for the international market (dairy commodities represent approximately one third of international dairy trade each year).  New Zealand also remains the dominant exporter of butter accounting for about 65 percent of total trade 

Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits and they are truly enjoyable. They are grown around the world.

Although not a native crop to Egypt, strawberries thrive in Egyptian soil and weather.

Strawberry is very productive in Egypt - farmers can collect 40 to 50 tons of strawberries per hectare, much more than what is grown in other areas. Egypt exports strawberries to Europe, Asia, Africa, and other parts of the Middle East.

In 2013 The US Department of Agriculture announced market access for the Egyptian government to export strawberries to the US. This is welcome news for exporters from Egypt as earlier most exports traditionally went to the EU and Gulf markets.

Granting Egypt access to the American market is “a testament to the high quality of Egyptian strawberry exports”, a statement read on the Egyptian Embassy’s website.

Some fun facts about strawberry:

• Strawberries are the only fruit that wear their seeds on the outside.
• Americans eat an average of three-and-a-half pounds of fresh strawberries each per year.
• Belgium has a museum dedicated to strawberries.
• Roughly 27,000 kilos of strawberries are eaten during the Wimbledon Championships, together with 7,000 litres of cream.
• Strawberries, as part of a 5 a day fruit & vegetable program, can help reduce the risk of cancer & heart attacks.