Coffee Producing Regions
Burundi has plenty of regions with favorable conditions for coffee production. The altitudes range from 772 meters above sea level (masl) to 2,670 masl at Mount Heha’s summit. Burundian coffee is usually grown at high altitudes between 1,200 and 1,950 masl.
Burundi is located in a mountainous area of Africa, forming part of the Albertine Rift in the Great Rift Valley. The country's nutrient-rich volcanic soil and high rainfall levels of approximately 1,200 mm per year also contribute to Burundian coffee’s distinct, intense fruit flavors and syrupy sweetness-Burundi coffee features flavor experiences like fruit punch, bright acidity, lingering candy-like finishes, expressiveness, and juiciness, with tropical notes.
Coffee farms can be found across the country, but are mainly concentrated in the northwest. The most well-known regions for the best coffees, and where we are also located, are Kayanza, Ngozi, Muyinga, Karusi, Cankuzo, and Gitega.
A Brief History of Coffee in Burundi
Coffee trees were first introduced to Burundi in the 1930s by the Belgians. Initially, farmers were provided with seedlings and compelled to cultivate them with minimal support.
In 1962, following the end of Belgian rule, Burundi’s coffee sector was privatized. Ten years later, the government began managing the industry to centralize operations. Many farmers abandoned their coffee farms, but some recognized the crop’s economic potential and continued to care for their trees.
Coffee soon became vital to Burundi’s economy until the civil war in the 1990s caused a significant decline in production. After the conflict ended in the early 2000s, coffee was re-established as a crucial agricultural export.
At the beginning of the 21st century, the government started gradually privatizing parts of the coffee supply chain, leading to increased investment. Today, coffee constitutes more than 80% of the country’s exports.
The backbone of Burundi's coffee industry is its smallholder farmers, numbering over 800,000. Across the country, more than 25 million coffee trees are now planted on approximately 60,000 hectares.
Burundi Coffee Crop Cycle & Shipment
Burundi coffee is a cross-year crop. The harvest happens from late March until early July- it also depends on Mother Nature with different factors including rainfall, temperature, etc. With the landlocked situation in Burundi, it is typical for coffees to leave port and be shipped starting in October/November and will reach the US and other markets in the next Q1.
