Coffee from Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo is a land of discrepancy. Even though it is the richest country in Africa in terms of resources, it is also one of the poorest from an economic point of view. But how is that possible? The answer is simple, the ongoing civil wars that spread around the country for so many years took a hard toll on the economy, to a point where it is hard to renounce. Even so, the people are dedicated to fulfilling their craft and with the help of big companies, like Starbucks, that recognize their quality of work and support their infrastructure and business, every day they are one step closer to bringing balance back in their country, in all aspects of life.

Understanding the circumstances

The coffee-growing regions are located in the eastern part of the country. Sadly, that is also the area where the colonial civil wars first sparked, completely changing the lives of millions and consequently affecting coffee production. 

In this context, locals had to start selling the coffee they harvested in their raw state to neighboring countries, so that it would be processed, as Congo no longer had that possibility. This process was not only a huge economic setback but also a threat to the lives of the sellers, as they had to go through a two-day trip in an unsteady canoe all the way to Rwanda to have the chance to close some deals.

Thankfully, several international distributors and partners decided that they are able to make a change for the Congolese people, and they created a more reliable and also safer trade model through local coffee cooperatives. Their appearance also made everything more efficient, as the producers no longer had to struggle individually, having the opportunity to come together and create a stable environment for everybody.

When factors like higher operational efficiency and quality of coffee come together, the demand rises and so does the income for the people. The impact this creates is extremely meaningful, as the locals now have the possibility to provide education for their children and afford medical care. Even so, there are many other basic utilities that there is no access to, but we believe that every single step matters, and maybe slowly but steadily, the people of Congo will start to lead better lives.

So, what about the coffee?

There is a strong reason why the reliance on coffee is so big. The species grown there are numerous, but we can definitely bring the Robusta and Arabica varieties to the front of the line, together with their best qualities. Many investors come all the way to taste and evaluate the quality of the beans, and they always leave pleasantly surprised and satisfied. 

Robusta is a less common type of coffee found on the market, even though the costs for cultivation aren't high, and the trees aren't too prone to disease. Even so, the coffee itself isn't as qualitative as Arabica, as it is mainly used for instant blends. It can be found in the northeast area of Congo, in places like Isiro, Ubangi, Uele, Kasai, or Bas-Congo.

Arabica, on the other hand, is pricier to cultivate and it is also more exposed to the disease. These risks are worth it when you consider the fact that the flavors are so powerful but still mild, and not extremely caffeinated. In comparison to Robusta, it is grown in more elevated areas, such as Kivu and Ituri. It also represents one-fifth of the total coffee production in Congo.

As you might already tell, all the efforts of keeping the coffee industry alive are well worth it, especially because of the quality that it can provide.

In conclusion, even though the story of Congo can be devastating, we have to admit that even though we are touched, sentiment is not the only factor that determines us to enjoy their coffee, and it shouldn't be. Their passion can be sensed in every single bean that ends up in our cup, and this is what guarantees their longevity in the industry. The fact that you can support a community by deciding to purchase this type of coffee from specialized platforms like Cafendo, or CoffeeHunter is simply a bonus that we are happy to fulfill.