- The landmark deal was formalized at the company's premises in Rotselaar, Belgium.
- Gachagua said that the move will help small-scale farmers increase their incomes.
Image: DPCS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has closed a deal with the Java Coffee Company.
The deal signed by Gachagua who is in Belgium will now see local coffee farmers start selling their produce to the company.
Java is one of the world’s largest coffee firms.
According to the Joint Commitment deal, the Java Coffee Company pledged to purchase Kenyan coffee directly from the local farmers starting with 700 tonnes.
"The commitment entails the acquisition of at least 10,000 bags of coffee, totalling 700 tonnes, of premium Kenyan coffee," Gachagua said.
The landmark deal was formalized at the company's premises in Rotselaar, Belgium.
Gachagua said the move will help small-scale farmers increase their incomes.
"Our primary focus rests on supporting Kenyan women farmers and cooperatives, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the global coffee landscape," he noted.
The global company, renowned for its commitment to quality coffee, also undertook to procure a substantial volume of coffee production, focusing primarily on supporting Kenyan women farmers and cooperatives.
The joint commitment followed a pivotal bilateral meeting between Gachagua and Kathleen Claes, the CEO of Java, who was accompanied by Wim Claes, President of the Belgium Coffee Roasters Association.
The agreement was solidified ahead of the Coffee Stakeholders roundtable between Kenya and Belgium coffee roasters, hosted at the esteemed Java Coffee Company.
This significant step not only fosters international cooperation but also champions the prosperity of Kenyan coffee farmers, marking a momentous stride in the global coffee industry.
In his remarks, the Deputy President said Kenya has some of the world's finest specialty coffees and the government is expanding the market and eliminating middlemen and brokers for the benefit of the small-scale cherry farmers.
"This is as per the reforms we have been implementing in the coffee subsector, hence the importance of this visit. As we aim to raise production from the current 51,000 Metric Tonnes to 260,000 metric tonnes in five years, we are looking forward to bringing our produce closer to the market and the consumer. In the long term, we want a share in the value-added product, which will deliver more money to our farmer, besides strengthening our economy," he stated.
Image: DPCS
Since Belgium is one of the main points of entry and trade hubs for coffee in Europe, Gachagua said there was also growing demand for certified coffees, triggered by a consumer trend towards sustainable, traceable and high-quality products.
The development comes at a time when the government is trying to increase coffee production, which once accounted for up to 40 per cent of forex earnings in the country.
"The speciality coffee market in Belgium is fast growing, alongside the country's tradition for smaller coffee houses and cafés. I appreciate that Belgium is Europe's third-largest importer of green coffee after Germany and Italy and the largest re-exporter of green coffee in Europe," added the DP
He noted that Belgium is also the second largest destination of Kenyan Coffee and the gateway to most of European markets through the Port of Antwerp.
The port accounts for approximately 50 per cent of Europe's coffee logistics business.
Production of coffee beans in Kenya is expected to increase due to government subsidies for fertilizers and improved rain conditions.
The Java Coffee Company is a public company established by the Claes family and has been roasting coffee for over four generations, since 1935.
MWim Claes has been the company CEO since 1984 and handed over to the fourth generation in 2016.
He is now serving as the Director President of the Royal Belgian Coffee Roasters Federation.
The Company CEO is his daughter, Kathleen, who took over operations of the business in 2016.