D.R. Congo Coffee

The Virunga Coffee Company operates in the hills surrounding Butembo in North Kivu, a region perfectly situated at the equator with rich volcanic soils and good rainfall. The high elevation of this Great Lakes area makes it ideal for high quality arabica production.

Virunga Coffee Company was established in 2011 by Schluter SA with the vision to: “Change lives in DRC through commerce in a mutually profitable way by being a major coffee actor in Kivu.” Since then Virunga has invested significantly in agronomy training, field support activities, processing infrastructure and the organic certification of over 2000 farmers.

Bean There purchases its Organic Certified coffee from three washing stations in the North Kivu region, Mutendero, Kahondo and Katanda. In recent years these washing stations have also produced natural processed, and a variety of honey processed coffees which have been exceptionally well received in South Africa and internationally.

Bean There is privileged to have had the opportunity of introducing South Africa to D.R. Congo coffee when we brought in our first shipment from Virunga in 2013. Through our Direct Fair Trade premiums Bean There has been able to support the construction of a roof at a local school, farmer bonuses, new sorting tables and the development of coffee nurseries.