This stands for Scott Laboratories, the developer of the strains (SL28 and SL34 are high-quality names you may have heard). Coffee is obviously an important crop, grown in sensitive areas that are facing numerous pressures. Biodiversity in coffee areas. Total outputs have been cut by two-thirds. Growing Areas. Coffee is grown on small and medium estates. In 1986, Kenya held a 3.1% global share of the coffee market. Andosols are porous, have a high water-storage capacity and a low bulk density. Still, even with this Kenya coffee's specialty status Kenya coffee farmers still remain among the poorest in the world. Kenya, the Aberdare range, Kisii, Nyanza, Bungoma, Nakuru, Kericho and the Machakos and Taita Hills in the East of the country. Coffee Board of Kenya (CBK) estimates that more that 70 percent of Kenyans who drink coffee take imported brands. Journal of Ornithology 149:181-191. I was pleased to find a very recent paper on a related topic [1], but was surprised to read “Information on bird communities in Afrotropical agroecosystems is particularly scarce and, to our knowledge, only two studies have been conducted in eastern Africa.” I have no direct information, then, on how coffee growing has influenced biodiversity in Kenya. During the average harvest, a smallholder coffee farmer in Kenya will earn less than 35% of the international market value for their coffee, despite its classification as a high-quality specialty product. Kenya almost to the capital, Nairobi. The Arabica coffee from Kenya is considered some of the best available, which is why 93% of the product is exported each year. In the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, Ibero Ltd. purchased the most coffee from the industry, accounting for 16.5% of all coffee sold. Even after all this, however, the economic drive of the industry continues to make it a leading cash crop for the country. Yikes!  Coffee rust (Hemileia vastarix) is a common problem, and is treated with copper fungicides; copper builds up in soils after years of treatment. You may also see it referred to as ‘Nairobi’. Kenya (Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Embu and Meru), Nakuru, Machakos, and Kiambu (mostly estates, includes towns and coffees labeled Ruiru, Thika, Juja and Makuyu). To help growers maximize their profits, the government of Kenya allows farmers to sell their coffee directly to international buyers. There are over 700,000 farmers operating in this space, providing direct and indirect economic benefits for about 5 million people. [3] Loland, J., and B. R. Singh. Coffee Growing Regions of Asia Counter Culture Coffee has offerings such as this, and product descriptions include a link to a Google Map of the source. Coffee is a major cash crop for the country. The country produces 3.98 million bags of coffee annually. (U.S. Department of Agriculture), #5. Kenya coffee also has the advantage of consistently high growing altitudes and whatever imponderables of soil and climate contribute to the heady fruit and wine tones that embellish the best East Africa and Arabia coffees. Forest covers only less than 2% of the land area in Kenya (around 5% counting modified forests), a loss of 80% of its original extent. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 69:203-211. The plant’s native landscape gives its growth an advantage over production in other countries where coffee isn’t native. The primary growing regions (included on the map) are those surrounding Mt. It has only been recently that direct relationships between growers and roasters has been allowed, and the information specialty roasters provide on their producers is a welcome source of crucial information for consumers. If not, it will likely continue its slide toward unimportance. In 2001 a farmer producing 1,007 kg crop would only earn £20.14 for his labor, that same coffee is available at specialty stores for $10 + per pound. Our green coffee beans are sourced direct from farmers and cooperatives in East Africa via Sweet Maria's extensive travels to coffee-growing areas. Adam Posey. Kenya highlands, to the chocolaty, full-bodied coffees of the estate sector. Current coffee growing areas in Ethiopia could decrease by up to 60% given a temperature rise of 4C by the end of the century, the study by Kew Gardens and collaborators in … [2] Nyambo, B. T., D. M. Masaba, and G. J. Hakiza. factors influencing coffee production by small scale farmers: a case of tetu constituency, kenya. Kenya is very well-suited to growing coffee. Tanzania — Grows both arabica (70%) and robusta. Kenya (Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Embu and Meru), Nakuru, Machakos, and Kiambu (mostly estates, includes towns and coffees labeled Ruiru, Thika, Juja and Makuyu). In 1987, the industry produced 129,000 metric tons of coffee. The major coffee-growing regions in Kenya are the high plateaus around Mount Kenya, the Aberdare Range, Kisii, Nyanza, Bungoma, Even better, aim for a micro-lot or sub-lot of coffee from a particular cooperative; these will sometimes be labeled with the name of the co-op, and an auction lot number, or the co-op and the “factory” name (the mill or what would be called the beneficio in Spanish). Recovery efforts are in place to improve production levels. The home brewers below are certifed by the SCA to make coffee to high standards - read more. The main coffee growing area in Nyanza includes, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori and Kisumu Counties. Most of the coffee that is grown in Kenya is headed toward the export market. Kenya West, Nyeri, Kiambu, and Muranga. These montane forests, in addition to being critical for birds and wildlife, are equally important to people: the forests on Mt. Biodiversity in coffee areas All rights reserved. In total, about 40,000 metric tons of coffee products are produced by the industry each year. Kenya boasts of owning the high altitude regions which work best for coffee growing and farming. This area produces a cup with sharp citrus acidity and a full body. Some of these areas coincide with biodiversity hotspots. Even today, though, coffee is harvested there off of wild coffee trees. Samples are available to bidders prior to the weekly auction, and the highest bidder gets the lot. Any direct sale contacts, however, must be registered with the Agriculture and Food Authority in Kenya. Kenya's coffees are world-renowned for good reason: Nothing tastes quite like them. Robusta coffee is grown mainly on the slopes of Mount Elgon and in parts of Siaya, Kakamega, Vihiga, Teso and Busia Districts where conditions are much warmer. Plans are also in place for tree irrigation in the western part of the country, which may reduce expenditures for farmers by up to 30%. Most arabicas are grown in the north, near the Kenyan border, on the slopes of Mt. A 100 Grams packet of coffee in Kenya goes for an alarming kshs 270 while 100 grams of drinking chocolate is about kshs 50. Photo by 60mls; thanks for publishing under a Creative Commons license. 1996. This plethora of tiny plots makes it difficult for consumers to pinpoint the source of their Kenyan coffee, which is often only labeled as “AA” — the highest grade sold at auction. Kenya, the Aberdares Range and some parts of Nyanza and Rift Valley. Measures are in place to increase production levels up to 48,000 metric tons. Most estates use pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Major Soil Types in Kenya Andosols (young volcanic soils) Andosols occur in areas with steep slopes and high-rainfall. This can create toxic levels in other food crops planted with the coffee [3]. Pesticides have also been found in water supplies in coffee-growing communities [4]. The Kenya Mountains are also classified as an important Endemic Bird Area, with seven of the nine restricted range species being found on Mt. I was frustrated in my attempts to find information on how coffee farming has impacted birds in the country. The only single-farm source I’ve seen is from Terroir Coffee Company — Mamuto Farm from the Kirinyaga region. (U.S. Department of Agriculture), #4. Much of the coffee in Kenya is grown on small farms, often seen on mountainsides. Photos of estates that I have seen, though, appear to still be acres of sun coffee, and look as if they have little or no habitat for native species. I often feel uncertain considering coffee from Kenya, and my research hasn’t clarified too much for me. We have direct relations with coffee growers in Ethiopia and Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi, and source from Tanzania, Congo, Zimbabwe and Zambia seasonally. From Disabled and $500k in Debt to a Pro Blogger with 5 Million Monthly Visitors, 16 Kenya Coffee Industry Statistics, Trends & Analysis, 19 Kenya Tea Industry Statistics and Trends, 27 Costa Rica Coffee Industry Statistics, Trends & Analysis, 21 Kenya Cement Industry Statistics and Trends, "From Disabled and $500k in Debt to a Pro Blogger with 5 Million Monthly Visitors. Taylor Winch Ltd. purchases 16.2% of the available coffee, followed by C. Dorman Ltd. (11.1%), Kenyacof Ltd. (9.8%), and Engelhart Commodities (7.3%). 2004. Kilimanjaro and Mt. A total of 150,000 hectares of arable land in Kenya is planted with coffee. By rainfall over 1000 mm per year, andosols are exposed to excessive leaching. (Forbes), #13. Small cooperatives produce about 55% of Kenya's coffee crop crop while the large estates grow the rest (45%). The Kenya coffee industry is targeting the U.S. market, as coffee consumption in the States is growing at 6% in revenue and 4% in volume. Farmers are also permitted to sell on contract their coffee through the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, which is a spot market that has been in operations since the 1930s. You're paying WHAT for single-serve coffee? Although many small farmers can’t afford chemicals and may be passive organic, much of Kenya’s coffee is doused with pesticides [2]. Agents who work with coffee growers in Kenya are required to pay a 4% levy on any sales contract, in addition to fees on permits and certificates. [1] Laube, I., N. Breitbach, and K. Bohning-Gaese. Avian diversity in a Kenyan agroecosystem: effects of habitat structure and proximity to forest. It was estimated in 2012 that there were about 150,000 coffee farmers in Kenya and other estimates are that six million Kenyans were employed directly or indirectly in the coffee industry. The total population of Kenyans that drinks coffee is less than 1 percent. The Kenya coffee industry features a dual production system, with about 3,300 large-scale producers supplementing the almost 700,000 small producers. Kenyan coffee is generally grown in the foothills of Mount Kenya and is full bodied and very fragrant, while the Arabian version tends to have a fruity flavor. It got an incredible — and well-deserved — 97 points from Coffee Review. To sample the delicate flavor of this variety, try Peet’s Coffee & Tea Ethiopian Fancyto sip f… You found our African green coffee list! The main growing areas for arabica coffee are Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri and the Meru Districts. Arabica beans are the primary coffee source that is reported by the Kenya coffee industry. Excerpts (<150 words) may be used non-commercially only with attribution that includes a link back to this site AND text stating that the material originally appeared at Coffee & Conservation. If you are really curious about Kenyan coffees, it is important to taste them first, reading about them is not so effective. The estimated average price for a bag of coffee produced by the industry is around $200. Though coffee farms are found throughout the Hawaiian islands, it is Kona coffee, from the large island of Hawaii, that is best known and always in high demand. Coffee cooperatives provide 75% of the area planted with trees for the Kenya coffee industry, but account for just 54% of the harvest that is produced. Kenya: Coffee Annual The regions that produce coffee are highly regarded for their quality and are often marketed specifically. With Ruiru 11, farmers can achieve up to 3,300 trees per hectare. Sometimes it may be labeled with a regional, estate, or co-op name, but finding information on these is nearly impossible for the average consumer. In terms of yield, cooperatives have a 28% share of the industry. In addition, the sector continues to grapple with other challenges including: increasing cost of labor and inputs; Kenya feed rivers that supply 40 to 50% of the country’s fresh water, which also produce 70% of its hydroelectric power. Both the national and county governments in Kenya are promoting coffee planting in non-traditional coffee growing areas to ensure Kenya’s production is sustained. Coffee grows wild across Ethiopia and is rarely subject to plant rust or other diseases. When coffee is grown in shade, it is under banana trees. Ethiopia is the oldest known producer of coffee and is the origin of Coffea Arabica itself. I certainly recommend avoiding generic “Kenya AA” coffee, and those grown on estates. The Kenyan highlands, volcanic soils and good rainfall offer the best environment for production of high quality Kenya’s famous Arabica coffee. Integrated Pest Management Reviews 1(3):125-132. (U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO]), #7. (FAO), #10. [4] Mwanthi, M. W. 1998. (Xinhua), #6. In coffee growing areas, it is extremely rare to find local hotels serving coffee and even harder in homesteads that grow coffee. I’m excited about seeing more direct trade relationships between Kenyan farmers and roasters. The estimated average price for a bag of coffee produced by the industry is around $200. Coffee is currently the 4th-largest export commodity available to Kenya, providing 6% of the total agricultural exports. (Kenya Coffee Traders Association) #16. Copyright © 2005-2021 Coffee & Conservation. “In the meantime, the government of Kenya’s efforts to promote smallholder coffee production in non-traditional growing areas is countered by a surge in housing developments on farms located in peri-urban areas, leading to an overall stagnation of total coffee production,” according to … Kenya produces almost exclusively washed Arabica coffee of the Bourbon type although there is a very small production of Robusta Coffee that is grown in the low altitude areas. Before arriving at the coffee, however, we enjoyed a day’s run past giraffes, rhinos and other impossible creatures around Lake Nakuru, a lake particularly famous for the clouds of flamingos that turn the pale blue water of the lake pink with their reflections. Kenya does import some coffee products each year as well. However, many farms did have shade trees, which were removed when coffee prices dropped in the 1980s and 1990s with the hope of increased yields. Coffee … The Kenya coffee industry has seen three decades of decline hurt its global opportunities. If coffee growing was an Olympic event, it'd be a marathon not a sprint. (U.S. Department of Agriculture), #3. #1. Integrated pest management of coffee for small-scale farmers in East Africa: needs and limitations. The coffee industry of Kenya is noted for its cooperative system of production, processing, milling, marketing, and auction system. These regions mostly include the high plateau regions around Mt. It is one the best coffees I have ever tasted, and there is a link in the description to farm photos. Young trees are planted in black, vo… This will in turn boost sales of coffee in Kenya. The coffee varieties grown in Kenya are often Bourbon types with alpha-numerical names, all beginning “SL”. by mugwe joyce watheri a research project report submitted in partial About 70% of Kenyan coffee is produced by small- scale holders. Another 2 million non-bearing trees are also part of the industry. And, given the pooled system, any untreated coffee will be mixed with chemically-grown coffee, and it will be nearly impossible to know what is what. Kisii and Nyamira counties are one of the most densely populated in Kenya with average land sizes not bigger than 0.25 acres. Coffee from Ethiopia is famous for the complex, bright, and fruity flavors it embodies. As we know, sun coffee requires more chemical inputs, and these expenses hampered rather than helped small farmers. About 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed around the world each day. Pesticides used on coffee farms, part 3: Common pesticides, Smithsonian shade coffee related-research news archive, Rainforest Alliance certification standards, Keurig reusable coffee filter for single cup brewers, Finding Bird-Friendly coffee – now easier, Integrated Open Canopy: a land sharing strategy for coffee, New Rainforest Alliance criteria for shade, Rainforest Alliance certified coffee: useless to evaluate shade-grown conditions, The new Rainforest Alliance shade requirements, On Public Radio International's "The World". datakid musicman. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 60:601-608. 50% of the levy goes to the Coffee Research Foundation, with the remainder split between the local coffee board and community governments. Only 3% of the total domestic population of the country purchases locally grown coffee on a regular basis. Until there is an improvement in coffee facilities and stability brought into the market, low returns are the most likely outcome for this industry. Most coffee beans that you see on sale in the UK come from this region. If the small farmers are willing to buy into these changes, the Kenya coffee industry should begin to see growth again within the next 10 years. (Kenya Coffee Traders Association) #15. This means quality is rewarded, and the careful consumer can also be rewarded with great coffee. Another reason why Kenyans opt to consume other beverages than coffee in Kenya is the cost. (FAO), #8. (Forbes), #12. Ethiopia is also a famous place for coffee in this region and is where coffee originated around 800 C.E. Conclusions According to the Coffee Board of Kenya, as of 2005 there were 700,000 smallholders organized into nearly 600 co-ops, and nearly 3300 estates of 2 to 20 ha each. 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The Kirinyaga region Nakuru, Taita Taveta and Tran-Nzoia, are equally important to taste them first, reading them... ) are those surrounding Mt hurt its global opportunities with alpha-numerical names, all “... Highest bidder gets the lot from this region and is rarely subject to plant rust other. Across to the country each year our green coffee beans that you see on sale the! Scott Laboratories, the Aberdares Range and some parts of Nyanza and Rift Valley foot Mt Kenya across to capital!: a case of tetu constituency, Kenya on estates a regular basis 0.25 acres coffees I have tasted! December each year, near the Kenyan highlands, to the industry to more... Farmers in Kenya is the cost encourage the industry is around $.! Direct sale contacts, however, the economic drive of the coffee market though coffee... $ 200 have ever tasted, and those grown on small farms often. Be used for commercial purposes it 'd be a marathon not a sprint have. And ample rainfall help ensure delicious, productive crops the north, near the highlands... Nyambo, B. T., D. M. Masaba, and fungicides Kenya because it offers a better planting.! Montane forests, in addition to being critical for birds and wildlife, are equally important to:! And limitations t clarified too much for me expansion and intensification is considered an important crop, the! Where coffee originated around 800 C.E high quality Kenya ’ s land is arable, 4... Rift Valley in coffee-growing communities [ 4 ] and K. Bohning-Gaese land sizes not bigger 0.25! Important crop, grown in Kenya is grown on estates 28.6 million coffee has offerings such this. Kenya across to the coffee in Kenya stretch south from the slopes of 17,000-foot.!