Rwanda Dukundekawa Mbilima Natural

Strawberry milkshake, cloudy lemonade, dark chocolate
TOP LOT
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Bag Weight 60 KG BAG
Harvest Season 2023/24
Status Spot
Lot Number P8002222-2
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About This Coffee

Mbilima coffee washing station is part of Dukundekawa Co-operative. The washing station was founded in 2005 to cater for farmers who struggled to deliver to the co-operative’s primary station ‘Ruli’. The logistical challenges of delivering such a long distance were having an adverse affect on coffee quality, the co-operative invested in a new facility closer to these farmer groups. 

Founded in 2000, The Dukunde Kawa Musasa Cooperative cultivates its high-quality coffee near a mountain gorilla habitat at around 1,800masl, in Rwanda’s rugged North-West. By producing high-end coffee for the international market and employing a majority female workforce, the cooperative ensures maximum benefits to local families. In 2003, it built a washing station with funds provided by the Rwandan ministry of defense. In exchange for this support, the Dukunde Kawa donates 10 percent of its net profits annually to fund the construction of other washing stations throughout Rwanda.

 

Origin Rwanda
Subregion Coko sector, Gakenke District, Northern Province
Harvest Season 2023/24
Producer Type Washing Station
Wet Mill Mbilima
Co-Op Dukunde kawa
Processing Natural/Dry Processed
Growing Altitude 1800m - 2100m
Plant Species Arabica
Variety Bourbon
Coffee Grade RWA CA NAT SPL SD
Screen Size 15 Up
Bag Weight 60 KG BAG
Bag Types Grain Pro / Ecotact

The Region

Gakenke district lies in North West Rwanda near the Volcanoes National Park, home to 1 of only 3 populations of endangered mountain gorillas in the world. Like much of Rwanda - “the land of a thousand hills” - the terrain is mountainous, rugged and exceptionally beautiful. Rich volcanic soils, plentiful sunshine, and tropical rainfall provide exceptional conditions for the cultivation of arabica, and the Bourbon variety particularly excels in the high elevations of Rwanda’s mountains. 

The Procees

Ripe cherries are carefully selected - first by hand, then by floatation and finally with a specialised cherry sorting machine to separate the highest quality cherries by density. These cherries are then dried in the sun on raised African beds for 22-45 days depending on the weather and ambient moisture. During this period the coffee is sorted by hand to remove any physcial defects and is regularly turned to ensure even drying and prevent over fermentation or mould formation. The coffee is covered during rain or midday sun to protect it from damage.

The Producers

Fairtrade Certified since 2004, Dukunde Kawa secures a high standard of living for Rwandan farmers by ensuring access to an economically and environmentally sustainable coffee industry. Before the proliferation of washing statiuons such as those owned by the co-op, the norm in Rwanda was for smallholder farmers to sell semi-processed cherries to middle- men, bringing low prices and severe hardship to farmers. Today it’s a different story: farmers who work with the co-op have seen their income at least double. 

Eighty percent of Dukunde Kawa’s producers are women. Each member has been able to buy a farm animal, and many now have health insurance for the first time. Dukunde Kawa also constructed 2 schools for local children in 2006 and provides members with long-term credit at no interest. Many farmers renovated their homes and now all members’ homes have tile rather than grass roofs. 

 

  • Subregion Coko sector, Gakenke District, Northern Province
  • Producer Type Washing Station
  • Wet Mill Mbilima
  • Processing Natural/Dry Processed
  • Bag Types Grain Pro / Ecotact
  • Plant Species Arabica
  • Variety Bourbon
  • Min Growing Altitude 1800m
  • Max Growing Altitude 2100m
  • Screen Size 15 Up
  • Co-Op Dukunde kawa
  • On Sale No
  • Top Lot Yes
  • Price Per Kg €11.75
  • Status Spot
  • Coffee Grade RWA CA NAT SPL SD
  • CTRM Contract Number P8002222-2
  • Origin Rwanda
  • Warehouse Schwarze & Consort.