Cup of Excellence to be halved for 2016
The Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE) has been running their Cup of Excellence program since it was first launched in Brazil in 1999. Since that maiden event, the Cup of Excellence (COE) has grown to include – at one point – eleven different coffee producing nations and countless farmers.
At the moment there are twelve different COE events covering ten countries.
For those in the trade who are on the hunt for the best coffee in the world, it’s a much-loved event and for those farmers and plantation workers it is a vital part of the calendar – a good score from the COE judges can increase the value of their handiwork increase exponentially.
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What are the roadblocks for quality Rwandan coffee?
Unfortunately, this seems to be a recurring type of news story at the moment. You might remember that we documented the fears and potential reasons as to why the Vietnamese coffee industry is struggling somewhat and why a rather peculiar crop could cause untold problems in the future.
Well, today it’s time to look at why Rwanda’s coffee chain could be under threat. And in this instance a number of onlookers have weighed into the debate.
…continue reading What are the roadblocks for quality Rwandan coffee?
Rwandan coffee census due to get underway
We’ve taken a liking to covering stories emanating out of Rwanda recently, mainly because there’s a lot of interesting news coming out of the country’s coffee sector at the moment. Some are good, like Starbucks’ Executive Vice-President giving the nation’s coffee a ringing endorsement, but some aren’t; it’s safe to say that Rwanda’s experiencing a turbulent period at the moment. Prices have tumbled, competitiveness across global markets has increased and many farmers were worried about being had voiced concerns about being left behind.
The National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) has previously spoken in a bid to quell those fears and now they’ve begun to act – by beginning a nationwide coffee census.
…continue reading Rwandan coffee census due to get underway
Rwandan coffee gets a ringing endorsement
The Rwandan coffee industry is hoping to export around 26,000 metric tonnes of coffee this year, bringing in around $75 million to the local economy. Hitting these self-imposed targets is always a tough task, but they hope to do so thanks to their relationship with Starbucks, the global coffee giants – a partnership which has recently received a glowing recommendation for the Seattle-based chain.
Starbucks’ Executive Vice President, Craig Russell, was in Kigali recently and spoke highly of Rwanda’s coffee. The salutations were certainly flowing as he spoke to the local press.
…continue reading Rwandan coffee gets a ringing endorsement
NAEB moves to reassure the Rwandan coffee industry as global prices tumble
The National Agriculture Export Development Board of Rwanda (NAEB) has taken steps to install confidence in the country’s coffee industry that an increase in crop quality will help protect farmers and exporters against the current – and expected – drop in prices on the global markets.
As we have noted previously on World Coffee Press, favourable weather conditions in key geographical areas has seen worldwide harvest levels rise, which has resulted in more supply than demand. As such, prices have tumbled.
…continue reading NAEB moves to reassure the Rwandan coffee industry as global prices tumble
New scheme launched to improve Rwandan baristas
Available figures from the National Bank of Rwanda show that coffee is the country’s biggest contributor to its export revenue, accounting for some $60 million last year alone.
Like many coffee growing countries however, coffee consumption is actually remarkably low.
But, over the years, the number of specialist coffee shops and roasters present in the East African country has grown to the point where industry insiders are calling for more to be done in regards to the training and development of the next generation of baristas and coffee specialists.
…continue reading New scheme launched to improve Rwandan baristas
New coffee processing plant opens in Gikondo, Rwanda
Many coffee farmers and producers within Rwanda are optimistic that the opening of a new coffee roasting and packaging factory will lead to an upturn in sales and, in turn, an increase in profits.
Located in Gikondo, an area on the outskirts of the capital city Kigali, the brand new establishment was formally opened early this week, with Geraldine Mukeshimana, the Minister for Agriculture, presiding over its inauguration.
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NAEB announces a new plan for Rwandan coffee
Speaking at a one day event centred upon the Rwandan coffee sector, George William Kayonga, the Chief Executive Officer for the National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB), announced plans for a new government back initiative that will, hopefully, improve both productivity and quality of the cash crop.
This new policy aims to redress a number of issues which has plagued the country’s coffee industry in recent years, making everything more streamlined and efficient in the process.
…continue reading NAEB announces a new plan for Rwandan coffee
Scheme set up to help women coffee growers in Rwanda
Congratulations are in order for over 800 Rwandan women who have recently completed a twelve-month course devoted to learning about modern and viable coffee growing practices.
The programme, run by a non-government supported entity Sustainable Harvest Rwanda, is hoping to break down gender barriers, inequalities and other roadblocks that often stand in the way of women being fully recompensed for their work.
…continue reading Scheme set up to help women coffee growers in Rwanda
$300,000 for Rwanda through e-trading
“The fact that our coffee has [at its peak] attracted $81 per kilogramme online should be a signal to all stakeholders, especially farmers to focus on quality along the [whole] supply chain.”
That is what Tony Sanganira, Rwanda’s State Minister for Agriculture, said when news trickled through that the central-east African country racked up just over $300,000 through their online coffee auctions. For the 2014 internet sales twenty-eight lots of coffee went under the hammer, weighing in at 15,200kg.
It represents a bumper haul for the nation who took in just over $225,000 last year.