The new church coffee is closely linked with the early days of Finnchurchaid in Finland. After the war Finland itself was in need of aid. Donations from abroad were multiplied by productive coffee deals. In the post-war days of rationing, coffee was in great demand. Imported raw coffee was paid for in dollars and roasted and sold at retail prices, bringing the Church a quick profit, which was put to use in national reconstruction.
Coffee is Tanzania's second most important export commodity.
It brings in a fifth of all its export income. With its indirect effects coffee benefits at least three million Tanzanians. The further refining of coffee supported by Finnchurchaid is considered important in Tanzania, because thus coffee benefits the producing country most. Tanzania produces 50,000 tons of coffee per annum, which is approximately the amount that Finns drink annually. The Finns are known as the world's keenest coffee-drinkers.