DR Congo Kivu Organic Washed - Mukwinja

Nice sweetness and acidity, green grape, fresh strawberry, pomegranate
TOP LOT
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Bag Weight 60 KG BAG
Harvest Season 2023/24
Status Spot
Lot Number P612398-1
  • 111 Bag(s)
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About This Coffee

This organic fully washed 'Kivu 3' lot is from Mukwinja washing station in South Kivu, one of 8 such stations operated by Virunga Coffee Company, set up by Schluter Ltd. (now Covoya Europe) in 2012 to produce specialty coffees in eastern DRC and improve livelihoods for smallholder farmers in the region. Mukwija works with 699 farmers in South Kivu, who cultivate at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,500masl.

Despite the high potential of the coffees around Mukwinja, smallholder production is characterised by a very small farm size, lack of infrastructure for coffee processing and lack of access to high-quality markets. Virunga Coffee is providing technical assistance to coffee farmers on regenerative agriculture practices, as well as access to coffee inputs, namely high-quality coffee seedlings to increase farming productivity, and thus profitability. Our goal is to increase economic opportunities from coffee farming in South Kivu.

Country of Origin Democratic Republic of Congo
Region Kalehe, South Kivu
Producer Type Washing Station
Farm Name Various producers
Processing Washed
Processing Description Sun-dried on raised beds
Growing Altitude 1500m - 2000m
Harvest Season 2023/24
Bag Weight 60 KG BAG
Bag Type Grain Pro / Ecotact
Plant Species Arabica
Variety Bourbon
Certifications Organic Certified NOP

History of Coffee in DR Congo

Although commercial production of green coffee did not begin in Congo in any meaningful way until the end of the nineteenth century, Robusta has been known to grow wild throughout the region for so long that 100 years ago Robusta was sometimes called “Congo coffee” regardless of where it was grown. In 1895, a well-known botanist, professor Lament, toured the country and declared it so suitable for growing coffee that it could become a “second Brazil," and Arabica plantings increased dramatically. By 1905, half a million coffee plants were under cultivation and exports reached 41 tons. 

Growing Coffee in DR Congo

Traditionally a Robusta producer, in recent years, Arabica from the highland areas has begun to attract attention from specialty coffee roasters. With development commitments from large roasters and quality development assistance from coffee traders like Schluter (now Olam Specialty Coffee Europe), DR Congo is now on the specialty coffee map. Washing stations have appeared in every growing region over the last five years and the country has hosted cupping events. 

  • Region Kalehe, South Kivu
  • Farm Name Various producers
  • Producer Type Washing Station
  • Processing Washed
  • Processing Description Sun-dried on raised beds
  • Bag Type Grain Pro / Ecotact
  • Plant Species Arabica
  • Variety Bourbon
  • Min Growing Altitude 1500m
  • Max Growing Altitude 2000m
  • On Sale No
  • Top Lot Yes
  • Status Spot
  • Certifications Organic Certified NOP
  • Coffee Grade DRC CA WA KIVU G3
  • CTRM Contract Number P612398-1
  • Country of Origin Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Warehouse The Annex CA