In a significant development, local coffee farmers are set to directly supply their produce to the Java Coffee Company, a global coffee giant, following the signing of a pivotal agreement on Wednesday in Rotselaar, Belgium. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua played a key role in finalizing the deal.
As part of the arrangement, the Java Coffee Company has committed to the initial purchase of 700 tonnes of coffee, a move anticipated to bolster the incomes of small-scale farmers. Additionally, the global company has undertaken to procure a substantial volume of coffee, with a specific emphasis on supporting Kenyan women farmers and cooperatives.
DP Gachagua commented on the landmark deal, stating, “Java Coffee Company, a prominent player in the global coffee trade, pledges to directly purchase Kenyan coffee from local farmers. This commitment involves acquiring a minimum of 10,000 bags, totalling 700 tonnes, of premium Kenyan coffee. Our primary focus is on supporting Kenyan women farmers and cooperatives, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the global coffee landscape.”
This significant agreement was formalized at Java’s facilities in Rotselaar, Belgium, during Deputy President Gachagua’s official visit to the country. The commitment emerged following a crucial bilateral meeting between DP Gachagua and Kathleen Claes, the Chief Executive Officer of Java, accompanied by Wim Claes, President of the Belgium Coffee Roasters Association.
The accord was solidified ahead of the Coffee Stakeholders Roundtable between Kenya and Belgian coffee roasters, hosted at the esteemed Java Coffee Company. This move not only promotes international collaboration but also champions the prosperity of Kenyan coffee farmers, marking a momentous stride in the global coffee industry.
Deputy President Gachagua emphasized that Kenya boasts some of the world’s finest speciality coffees, and the government is actively expanding the market while eliminating middlemen and brokers to benefit small-scale cherry farmers.
Given Belgium’s status as a primary point of entry and trade hub for coffee in Europe, DP Gachagua highlighted the growing demand for certified coffees, driven by consumer trends favouring sustainable, traceable, and high-quality products.
This development aligns with the government’s efforts to increase coffee production, historically a significant contributor to the country’s foreign exchange earnings. DP Gachagua underscored the importance of Belgium, being Europe’s third-largest importer of green coffee, and the strategic role it plays as the largest re-exporter of green coffee in Europe. Belgium is also the second-largest destination for Kenyan coffee. It serves as the gateway to most European markets through the Port of Antwerp, which handles around 50 per cent of Europe’s coffee logistics business.
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