As speciality coffee roasters, we're all about sourcing and roasting the highest quality coffee. But we don’t make our decisions on quality alone. We want to know that the coffee is farmed and growing sustainably, that the growers are fairly paid and that they have access to resources and opportunities for personal and financial growth.
Most coffee grows in the ‘coffee belt’, between 25 degrees north of the equator and 30 degrees south. This typically means African, South-east Asian, the Middle Eastern or South American countries - mostly developing countries with cheap labour and little economic power. We are super aware of this fact and something we take seriously when choosing the coffee partners we work with.
One such company is Migoti Coffee in Burundi, who were introduced to through our sourcing partner Omwani, an East African speciality coffee importer.
We absolutely love the ethics and passion that’s sits at the very heart of Migoti Coffee. The company was set up in 2016, at a time when Burundi's coffee industry was struggling to regain stability after a 12-year civil war and a subsequent political crisis. Engineers Dan Brose and Pontien Ntunzwenimana had a a vision to revitalise the local coffee economy and provide a sustainable income for the farmers in Pontien’s home region.
Migoti now operates two washing stations, Migoti and Kinama. These stations process coffee cherries brought in by over 1,200 smallholder farmers from the surrounding highlands. The washing stations employ a combination of ten permanent staff and over 250 seasonal workers, primarily women, who manage the sorting, drying, and quality control processes. Migoti Coffee has steadily increased its output and quality, consistently receiving high cupping scores that place it among the top specialty coffees in Burundi.
Migoti prioritises sustainable coffee growing practices, educating farmers on techniques to enhance crop quality and yield. These include pruning, intercropping, and soil management. Migoti also provides coffee seedlings to local farmers, distributing approximately 30,000 per year since 2019. This initiative has increased both the quantity of coffee produced and the income for participating farmers, which has grown from 310 farmers in 2019 to 1,236 in 2023.
In 2023, Migoti introduced a micro-financing program that provides small loans to farmers, allowing them to invest in essential items without resorting to cash advances from independent
They also promote reforestation with shade trees, soil stabilisation, and mulching to enhance soil health and mitigate the effects of erratic rainfall and climate variability.
Although climate change has not yet had a significant impact on coffee production at Migoti's high-altitude farms, the company is actively monitoring potential future threats. Research in the region suggests a likelihood of longer dry seasons, landslides, and shifting rainfall patterns, which Migoti aims to adapt to with resilient farming practices.
In 2024, Migoti Coffee began constructing a water reservoir and pipe network near the Kinama washing station to address local water access issues. The project includes a 50 cubic meter reservoir and a hydraulic ram pump to transport water uphill to supply nearby communities. The initiative, expected to serve over 4,800 residents, will provide clean drinking water to local families, reduce waterborne diseases, and support better educational outcomes for girls who typically shoulder the responsibility of fetching water.
Incredible tasting coffee, transparent trade, a commitment to environmental and social change. What’s not to love? We have two new Burundi coffees just about the land at the roastery from Migoti Coffee Company - a beautiful washed and a stunning natural. We’ll be profiling and roasting them over the next few weeks before making them live on the website. Enjoy!
