Burundian Coffee turnaround History Story of Burundian Coffee beans and washing stations

In 2006, before Burundi became famous for producing premium coffee, La Bodega CEO and Purchasing Director Jason Long ventured to buy his first miniature batch from Sogestal Kayanza to buy the relationship at a price well above the market price. Since then, La Bodega has purchased directly from Sogestal Kayanza, taking samples from dozens of washing stations each year and visiting the Director-General Claude Nzambimana to select the appropriate batch.

"decent African Coffee" was the first impression of Burundian coffee, but in 2007, the government allowed private coffee washing stations and dry treatment plants, which was the real turning point for Burundian coffee. Private washing stations pay attention to the opinions of the international market and soon understand that only higher quality can get higher prices. Driven by customers, private washing stations are willing to learn and improve their homework to provide buyers with higher quality coffee. In 2011, the Coffee Excellence Alliance held its first standard coffee of excellence competition in Burundi, and Burundi stood on the boutique coffee stage. Farmers have received guidance from experts and the government after discovering that coffee can bring cash and improve their quality of life. Under the policy of the World Bank, the Burundian government has set up 175 washing stations in coffee-producing areas throughout the country.

There is another regulatory body above the washing station, similar to the Kenyan large treatment plant or cooperative organization, called SOGESTAL. The washing station will do the treatment after receiving the coffee cherries, and the subsequent steps, dry treatment grading and sales will be handed over to Sojays. After the coffee industry has been opened to the public, there are currently 17 Sojus investments, which are created by private or private enterprises in joint ventures with the government. In policy, the government reduces its shareholding. The government's stake is usually less than 14%, while the privately held stake will exceed 80%. Sojestall is the management and supervision unit of the washing station. In the early days, the seven major Sojes were set up according to the main producing areas and geographical areas, responsible for the management, refining treatment, coordination of quality control, later work and sales of the washing station, namely Kayanza, Kirimiro, Kirundo/Muyinga, Ngozi, Mumirwa, Sonicoff and Coprotra.

After the washing stage is completed and dried, the shell beans are sent to the dry treatment plant, which is responsible for preliminary grading, cup testing, quality control reports, and final grading and bagging. The main dry treatment plants in the capital are SODECO, Sonocoff and Sivca.