DR Congo Kivu Organic RFA Natural - Mutendero

Cup notes available upon arrival
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Bag Weight 60 KG BAG
Harvest Season 2025/26
Status ETA Jun 2026
Lot Number P614959-2
  • 160 Bag(s)
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About This Coffee

Mutendero Coffee Washing Station (CWS) is one of 9 washing stations belonging to Virunga Coffee Company, setup by Schluter (now Covoya) in 2012 to produce high quality coffees for the specialty market and increase premiums for the thousands of smallholder farmers in the region. The strategy for Virunga has been three-fold: 1) To increase production through good agronomic practice 2) to improve quality through education and strict guidelines for production and processing 3) to obtain internationally recognised certification in order to generate better revenue for farmers.

At 1,820masl, Mutendero station sits at the highest altitude of all the Virunga washing stations. Established in 2012, it is located in the Isale region of North Kivu, right on the edge of Virunga National Park, close to the Uganda border.

Country of Origin Democratic Republic of Congo
Region North Kivu
Producer Type Washing Station
Farm Name Various producers
Wet Mill Mutendero CWS
Processing Natural/Dry Processed
Processing Description Sun-dried on raised beds
Growing Altitude 1500m - 1800m
Harvest Season 2025/26
Bag Weight 60 KG BAG
Bag Type Grain Pro / Ecotact
Plant Species Arabica
Variety Bourbon
Certifications Rainforest Alliance Certified (IP), Organic certified

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 North Kivu
  • Farm Name Various producers
  • Producer Type Washing Station
  • Wet Mill Mutendero CWS
  • Processing Natural/Dry Processed
  • Processing Description Sun-dried on raised beds
  • Bag Type Grain Pro / Ecotact
  • Plant Species Arabica
  • Variety Bourbon
  • Min Growing Altitude 1500m
  • Max Growing Altitude 1800m
  • On Sale No
  • Top Lot No
  • Status Afloat
  • Certifications Rainforest Alliance Certified (IP), Organic certified
  • Coffee Grade DRC CA WA KIVU G3
  • CTRM Contract Number P614959-2
  • Country of Origin Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Warehouse The Annex CA