A relatively new venture, this washing station was built in the first half of 2021. Located in Bulambuli town in Mt. Elgon, east in Uganda, close to the Kenyan border, cherry purchase, pulping, fermentation and dripping (pre-drying) + drying of most of the washed coffees happens at the site.
Besides the washing station, they have a drying yard and warehouse down in the outskirts of Mbale town. The capital city of the east. The naturals are mostly dried at the yard down in Mbale town (1 hour away) with additional drying capacity. This allows them to manage fermentation and drying of the naturals more thoroughly.
Cherries are sourced and bought from smallholders in specific small towns and communities from about 4 sub-counties in the Bulambuli district.
It’s a three-party agreement and collaboration between:
- Ben Mukhone - the producer
Local landowner and entrepreneur. Provided land, developing cherry supply chains and relationships with the local smallholders and respective communities, responsible for staffing, production and daily operations at the site.
- Ibero - exporter
Provided finance for construction of the site. Financing cherry purchase. Have a local team in place for cherry buying, financial control, farmer support, traceability protocols. Manage milling, grading, bagging and export.
- Tropiq & Nordic Approach - market service provider, buyer and importer
Committed to buying, marketing and selling what they produce.
This station shows the vast potential of Ugandan coffee, and we are delighted to taste what comes next!
