Win for Kenya as Gachagua Inks Coffee Deal With Java company

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is currently in Belgium, has successfully finalized a partnership with the Java Coffee Company.

This new agreement will enable local coffee farmers to sell their products directly to the company. The world-leading coffee firm Java has committed to purchasing Kenyan coffee directly from these farmers, starting with an initial order of 700 tonnes, which is equivalent to 10,000 bags of premium Kenyan coffee. The signing of this historic deal took place at the company’s premises in Rotselaar, Belgium. Gachagua lauded the collaboration, stating that it will greatly benefit small-scale farmers by increasing their income. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of supporting Kenyan women farmers and cooperatives, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the global coffee industry.

This joint commitment followed a significant meeting between Gachagua and Java CEO Kathleen Claes who was accompanied by Wim Claes, the President of the Belgium Coffee Roasters Association. The Java Coffee Company is committed to promoting international collaboration and advancing the well-being of Kenyan coffee farmers, signifying a remarkable leap forward in the global coffee industry. Throughout his remarks, the Deputy President highlighted Kenya’s exceptional selection of speciality coffees and the current initiatives to extend its global reach by cutting out intermediaries for the benefit of local cherry farmers.

As a prominent coffee market and importer, Belgium has seen a recent surge in demand for certified coffee which is largely driven by consumers eager for top-quality, traceable, and sustainable products. These efforts align with the government’s push to ramp up coffee production and restore its influence on the country’s foreign exchange earnings, which have diminished in recent years.