Kenya signs coffee deal with Java company

Kenya has inked a groundbreaking deal with the Java Coffee Company in Rotselaar, Belgium which promises to empower Kenyan coffee farmers and reshape the nation’s coffee industry,

As per Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, this agreement is designed to specifically target small-scale farmers, with a strong emphasis on empowering women in the coffee industry.

Kenya coffee reforms

Gachagua termed the deal as a monumental achievement stemming from Kenya’s ongoing coffee reforms.

“It is a breakthrough today as we signed a deal with The Java Coffee Company in Rotselaar, Belgium, to source coffee directly from our smallholder farmer, with a focus on women,” Gachagua said in a statement on his X account.

“It is a monumental outcome of our coffee reforms, with our farmers guaranteed better returns-without brokers and middlemen in the supply chain. The signing of the deal starting with the export of at least 700 tonnes of Coffee is a milestone in restoring dignity to the farmer.

“With such positive progress in the Coffee Reforms, we will return the crop to the top as the foreign exchange earner, for a stronger economy. We are grateful to Java for the opportunity to work with us in putting more money into the pocket of the farmer.” he concluded

During his trip to Belgium, Gachagua also visited the Port and held discussions with key stakeholders in the Coffee market value chain.

Distinct Kenya Coffee

During the meeting, they explored the establishment of a warehouse besides cupping session shops for a firsthand taste of the distinct flavour of Kenyan coffee.

Belgium is Europe’s third-largest importer of green coffee after Germany and Italy, and the largest re-exporter of green coffee in Europe.

The country is the second largest destination of Kenyan Coffee and the gateway to most of Europe through the Port of Antwerp. Handling about 50% of Europe’s coffee logistics, Antwerp is a key and strategic Port for Kenya in its determination to link the farmer directly to the market.