Brewing techniques for describing the taste characteristics of Kenyan coffee AA

The coffee industry in Kenya is changing. Mung bean buyers here are used to working with large estates and large cooperatives-some of which have as many as 12000 members. But lax regulations allow forward-thinking Kenyan producers to create a new model: micro-cooperatives.

By bundling groups together, farmers can build relationships with buyers, emphasizing cup scores, long-term partnerships and transparency.

But why is that? What impact will it have on producers and buyers?

A small group of Kenyan coffee farmers work together to ensure the quality of coffee. Photo Source: collaborative Coffee Source

How to trade Kenyan coffee?

Most Kenyan coffee is bought through central auctions-a system in which smallholder producers do not meet with buyers and cannot promote their coffee. In these auctions, only licensed coffee dealers are allowed to bid. They are operated by the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, while coffee is rated by the Kenyan Association of Coffee producers and traders (KCPTA).

But according to the Daily Nation, the daily newspaper with the largest number of daily newspapers in Kenya, some producers think it will allow buyers to collude to keep prices low. In addition, for buyers and consumers, the auction model hinders the transparency of the supply chain.

Another option is "direct sales" (also known as the "second window"). Here you can see what happens in direct transactions, as well as the more traditional exporter / importer relationship. Kenyan organizations or individuals will negotiate directly with buyers outside the country.

The direct sale of coffee is a new phenomenon in Kenya, but they accounted for nearly 15 per cent of the country's sales last year. This is part of growing producer autonomy.

So what does this look like for producers? What is the difference between buyers and consumers?

Mr. Kenyan Coffee producer. Banat Gavanaga, the leader of a small group of farmers. Photo Source: collaborative Coffee Source

Farmers get rid of cooperatives

Giovanna told me that historically, more than half of Kenya's coffee producers have been large estates or cooperatives, each with 100-12000 members. But the gap is changing. In fact, Melanie calculates that today small farmers control 58 per cent of the country's coffee production.

But what drives the movement?

"in the past few years, small producers who supply coffee to partner companies have not had enough income to sell their coffee," Giovanna explained. Some people are tired of the political aspects of these societies.

Melanie added, "not all cooperatives can play the same role. Because of things such as corruption, mismanagement and quality fluctuations, it is often frustrating for buyers to be in line with specific cooperatives and factories. "

It is worth mentioning that not all cooperatives are a bad choice for small farmers-as in all producing areas, cooperatives can provide a high level of support and training. They can more easily visit the Nairobi Coffee Exchange to find buyers.

However, some producers want more.

Kenyan Coffee production Cooperation Coffee Source staff are visiting farms and factories in Kenya. Photo Source: collaborative Coffee Source

A farmer-owned washing station

Some manufacturers are now in charge of their own affairs by setting up their own washing stations. "this has become possible," Giovanna said, "because the Kenyan government has reduced the minimum size for farmers to [process and sell] coffee, allowing them to have their own pulping stations."

Larger producers can sell coffee from a single estate directly to buyers. Others are forming micro-cooperatives. By doing so, they can focus on working with other farmers to share their vision for high-quality coffee. Giovanna told me that Kenyacof helped a cluster of 8-12 producers meet the legal requirements for selling coffee.

This is a new model-Kenykov is currently working with only three groups-but it has the potential to have a strong positive impact.

Coffee washing station is at the washing station in Kenya. Photo Source: Five Senses Coffee

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Why is peasant autonomy important?

Giovanna believes that this new model will allow producers to be more autonomous, interact directly with the market, and decide how to handle and trade their coffee. When they control the taste of coffee, they can not only follow best practices, but also achieve this goal more purposefully.

So will this lead to a real improvement in quality? At this early stage, it's hard to say.

"We have to see what happens, because this is the beginning of the first phase in Kenya," Melanie said.