From the Field, News
Monday, November 28, 2022
New Dry Mill Enhances Quality in Yunnan, China
Dry mills are anything but dry subject matter. In the case of Sucafina Yunnan, a new dry mill is an important next step to adding value for producers and ensuring high-quality washed milds for roasters. Since day one, Sucafina Yunnan has been seeking out ways to increase coffee quality and share added value with farmers in our supply chain. Founded in 2019, Sucafina Yunnan recently built a state-of-the-art dry mill that is helping us source high-quality washed milds from farmers across China’s coffee-growing region.
While it is better known for tea production, Yunnan has the ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality coffees. High altitudes, temperate weather and nutrient-rich soil all aid the production of coffees that can rival the Fully washed lots of Central and South America in both quality and value. To capitalize on this potential, Sucafina Yunnan has invested in offices, labs, a dry mill, and is finishing construction of an innovative and quality-focused wet mill that sources clean, consistent coffees from smallholders in Yunnan.
“Since we started operations in 2019, one of the biggest challenges has been achieving the volume we’ve needed at the quality our clients require,” says Carl Sara, Director of Sucafina Yunnan. “To address this, we have worked to become vertically integrated in the supply chain with our partners. We’re the only multinational that owns and operates a wet mill and one of the few to have a dry mill.” By being fully vertically integrated, Sucafina Yunnan can support farmers in the fields and maintain the quality they produce (and their traceability) throughout the entire process. “We have worked really hard to communicate quality expectations and sustainability initiatives with our producers,” Carl says.
Sucafina is constantly looking for innovative opportunities to add value vertically through the supply chain, Carl says. “This new dry mill allows us to refine the yields, aspect and precisely manage defects to meet internationally recognized grades. Along with our new wet mill, we can purchase and process coffee from cherry to green. Our ‘best-in-industry’ technology alongside very stringent QC management allows Sucafina to add maximum value for everyone.” More specifically, our screen size retention is under 5%, an impressive number compared to the current average in China of 15%. Our innovative labs are also trialing AI-fingerprinting technology with ProfilePrint to detect phenol and other cup defects.
In building an efficient, state-of-the-art mill, Sucafina Yunnan drew from the experience of other Sucafina Origins. “We have drawn on the learning of Sucafina’s various mills and integrated that with innovations that China can offer to optimize efficiencies,” Carl says. “We are working hard to be part of the solution to elevate Yunnan coffees both domestically and internationally.
The dry mill is the next step in advancing the reputation and awareness of Yunnan coffees, Carl says. “Our dry mill - combined with the rest of our upstream operations and team - gives Sucafina and our clients more opportunities to be a part of the journey and support Yunnan and its producers as they elevate and maximize their coffees’ potential.”
Our new dry mill is currently operating at full production and our wet mill is on track to be fully operational by mid-December. We expect fresh crop coffees to ship in March 2023. Now is the perfect time to get in touch with your trader to talk about how Yunnan can provide value in your coffee program.