Huye Coffee Land Grows Organic Coffee Ambitions

Organic coffee is a fast-growing trend, and local coffee producer Huye Coffee Land, which has made a success of supplying green coffee from Rwanda, is now making a move toward organic coffee. The company’s long-term plans include exporting to Europe and making a positive social impact on farmers and local communities. Huye Coffee Land welcomes partners to join this journey.

The business was formed by seven farmers, and today works with more than 1,713 farmers who produce coffee for the company. Huye Coffee Land handles growing, processing and marketing coffee, with a capacity of supplying 200 tonnes per season. Introducing organic coffee would increase the company’s capacity even more.

Organic coffee production goal

The Chairman of the Board, Willy Mwanafunzi, says that producing organic coffee can boost development of the company and give it a competitive edge in the coffee market. “By promoting organic coffee, we will be able to put to market a high quality product in the region with high end coffee consumers demand,” he says.

To achieve this ambition, Huye Coffee Land needs additional packaging and equipment, including a coffee-processing machine, planting a washing station, a coffee grinding as well as warehouse, all of which will help improve the quality of the coffee. Willy Mwanafunzi anticipates the overall development will involve an investment of around €800,000 to €1.2 million. Although he is eager to find a joint-venture partner, he also wants to ensure that the business does not get “overshadowed” by a big corporation. “We need to keep our contributing efforts through our rich local experience and knowledge”, Willy Mwanafunzi emphasizes.

Huye Coffee Land already supplies local and regional markets and wholesalers with various coffee products, and chairman continues saying, the local market is still growing. He also wants to explore other avenues, including expanding trade to Europe, the US, Japan and South Korea. He says, “If we can find promoters, to promote our product beyond Rwanda, we can be more successful. We just need the machines, warehouse and promotion to produce high quality and process organic coffee.” His plans do not stop there. He notes, “We want to grow our business. We need people to partner with and achieve the ultimate goal of being among the best organic coffee dealer. Rwanda is a country highly ranked for doing business in the region and Huye Coffee Land is ready to be a local partner.”