This is a project we are really pleased to be involved in. We are working with the International Trade Center on a project called EAC Markup. This is UN funded project providing various skills to coffee farmers in Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda & Uganda.
We are running and promoting the auction for to showcase and help build connections for East African coffee producers with buyers in Europe and all over the world.
The projects objectives are to support farmers in a number of key areas and help them become more prepared for exporting their coffee. Some of the key elements of the programme include:
- Enhancing export competitiveness for SMEs to the EU
- Improving business development capacities
- Developing export and investment relationships
- Teaching insight about export competitiveness
- Building awareness of market requirements such as compliance with compulsory and voluntary standards
- Creating value addition and access to finance to SMEs in the East Africa region.
The East African Coffee Markup Auction is a demonstration of how producers in the region can develop trading connections with buyers in the EU.
The Selection Process
Samples have been submitted from more than 55 different farms in the region. These are being whittled down to a shortlist, which will be put forward to the auction, by a professional cupping jury.
The ITC have formed a small jury of 4 qualified Q-Graders to oversee the selection of the final list of coffee to take part in the auction. There were submissions from over 55 producers.
The Jury
The cupping has been lead by Mbula Musau who also calibrated the 3 Q-Graders on her team. The full team is as follows:
- Mbula Musau LEAD (QG Arabica / Robusta)
- Michael Muki QG (Arabica)
- Alice Njue QG (Arabica)
- Jacinta Mutono QG Arabica / Robusta)
AFCA Conference 2020, Mombassa
It will be showcased at the AFCA Conference in Mombassa. Bidding will be available both online and in the cupping pavilion at the show with the final phase of the auction starting on 13th February 2020 (@ 11am London) during.
