About us

For Cafex, excellence is not just a goal; it's a way of life. We meticulously select the finest coffee cherries, sourced from Burundian local farmers committed to sustainable farming practices. Our dedication to quality begins at the harvest, ensuring only the ripest and most flavorful cherries are chosen for processing, before exporting around the world.

 

More About us hereunder

Washing stations in Burundi

At Cafex, we operate two distinctive washing stations, each a hub of craftsmanship and dedication to producing exceptional coffee. Our stations, strategically located in Mutara, Province Kirundo and in Shikankoni, Province Kayanza, are meticulously managed to ensure the highest standards of coffee processing.

 

Running a washing station is a huge challenge. Burundian farmers work throughout the day to handpick their coffee cherries and at sunset, the coffee arrives at the CAFEX washing stations. The processing takes place at night, while the reception of the cherries takes place from sunrise until the early hours of the night, allowing farmers to focus on providing the highest quality coffee

 

Mutara Kirundo Washing Station

 

Shikankoni Kayanza Washing Station

Cafex is a project launched in the heart of Burundi's verdant landscape in 2006 by a Belgian-Burundian couple. Their shared love for coffee, rooted in two distinct cultures, laid the foundation for a company that now stands as a paragon of excellence in exporting green coffee.

 

They wanted to combine the coffee production of their ancestral lands with modern and sustainable development and a desire to improve the lives of the local population.

 

Cafex works in harmony with local communities, ensuring fair wages and ethical sourcing while implementing eco-friendly techniques to minimize their environmental footprint and preseve their small private fields.

 

This dedication not only preserves the natural beauty of the region but also contributes to the exceptional quality of their green coffee beans. 

 

Cafex enables women to actively participate in coffee production, providing them with opportunities to learn essential agricultural skills, manage finances, and take on leadership roles within their communities. By promoting gender equality and creating avenues for women's involvement, Cafex contributes to the economic and social empowerment of women in these regions.

 

Cafex is dedicated to implementing eco-friendly practices throughout its operations. This includes initiatives to promote sustainable agriculture, such as encouraging shade-grown coffee, which not only preserves the natural ecosystem but also enhances coffee quality. Moreover, Cafex engages in reforestation projects, biodiversity conservation efforts, and the responsible management of water resources. By prioritizing sustainability, Cafex ensures that its activities have a minimal environmental impact, contributing to the preservation of the natural habitats in the regions where it operates.

 

Mutara Kirundo washing station

Our Mutara Kirundo Province's washing station is located in the north of Burundi, on the Mutara hill at 1450 meters above sea level, 2.5 km from the Kirundo town and at 500m from the main road. Muruta is a regio with a lot of small coffee farms.

 

The cherries processed at this washing station come from neighboring hills between 1450 and 1750 meters above sea level. We have built trust with the community of the 360 coffee farmers of Bourbon over the many years and a efficient traceability.

Mutara is located in undeveloped area and the implementation of our washing station has provided job opportunities. Thank to this, more than 360 coffee farmers have a positive impact on  their life and these of their families who hace a seasonal job have the opportunity to receive an extra income that gives them acces to medical care or allows them to buy books in order to send their children to school.

 

Ripe cherries are selected from daily hand pickings from the farmers and then arrived at the washing station, they are floated to separate the highest quality cherries by density from the less quality cherries. If the natural method is used, the coffee is then dried. If the fully washed method is used, the coffee cherries are first pulped, wel fermented to 12-18 hours and then thoroughly washed in grading channels to remove all the remaining mucilage and further select the coffee by density. The coffee is then dried on raised beds in full sunlight for a total of aroud 20 days.

 

Flavour: In general, Lime, chocolate, black berry. 

Shikankoni Kayanza washing station

In Kayanza province, more than 200 coffee farmers are members of the management committtee of the washing station with a lot of women. Cafex provides modern and technology supports to Shikankony washing station. The washing station is located at 1595 m above sea level and the coffee farms around are between 1600 to 1850 m above sea level. 

 

This station harnesses the unique terroir of Kayanza to produce some of the finest coffee beans. At Shikankoni, altitude isn't just a geographical factor—it's a cornerstone of exceptional coffee production. The lofty elevation influences the growth of coffee cherries, imparting distinct flavor profiles and complexities to the beans. The cool climate and specific microclimates found at this altitude contribute to the slow and nuanced maturation of the cherries, resulting in exceptional quality.
 

Beyond crafting exceptional coffee, our presence fosters economic growth by creating employment opportunities and supporting local farmers. Our investment bolsters infrastructure, encourages sustainable agricultural practices, and promotes community development. We're proud to contribute to the prosperity of this region, empowering its residents and igniting progress through responsible agricultural and business practices

 

At Shikankoni washing station, we produce Fw and Natural Bourbon coffee.

Cafex coffee farm 

In Kirundo, our commitment to planting coffee trees is a testament to our vision for a thriving and sustainable coffee industry. Together, we sow the seeds of sustainability, ensuring a vibrant future for coffee-growing regions and promoting a harmonious coexistence between agriculture and nature.

 

Positive Impact on the life of our coffee farmers

At Cafex, we're dedicated to transforming the lives of coffee farmers who supply our washing stations. Through fair trade practices, training programs, and access to resources, we empower farmers with fair prices, knowledge, and tools for sustainable farming. Our focus on economic empowerment, capacity building, and community development ensures a positive impact on their livelihoods and communities. Together, we cultivate a brighter future for coffee-growing regions.

 

Ikawa Nziza's dry mill

Once optimum moisture levels have been reached, the coffee is transported for milling at Ikawa Nziza's dry mill at 1730 m abouve sea level, in Gashoho, commune between the towns of Ngozi and Muyinga. Cafex is milling his coffee at Ikawa Nziza. Our dry mill is specialized in crafting micro lots of top-quality green coffee for global export. With a relentless focus on traceability and precision in the dry milling process, each batch reflects our commitment to excellence. Our beans, renowned for their exceptional flavors and meticulous curation, embody the pinnacle of quality, ensuring a distinctive experience for coffee enthusiasts worldwide.

 

The perfect location of Ikawa Nziza dry mill at  m above sea level in Gashoho, Muyinga Province, directly on the road to Dar es Salam Port is a big assest  and this altitude plays a pivotal role in the dry milling process, ensuring the preservation of the beans' inherent qualities

 

Contact

Email: info@cafexburundi.com

Instagram: cafexburundi