Tanzania Harvest Update

This Article At A Glance

The coffee harvest is gearing up now in Tanzania and this year, the harvest is expected to be larger than last year, says Jamil Mansour, Supply Chain Officer at COTACOF (Sucafina in Tanzania). Here are three key takeaways: 

• The Robusta harvest began in May and is expected to last until August while the Arabica harvest is expected to begin in June and will continue until September. 
• The Arabica crop is expected to be larger than last year with the Robusta crop equivalent to last year.
• Training for IMPACT verification is in progress and we expect to have IMPACT-verified Arabica coffee available for export starting in July. IMPACT-verified Robusta is also in the works.

Tanzania Harvest Update

The Robusta harvest began in May and is expected to last until August while the Arabica harvest is expected to begin in June and will continue until September. The Arabica crop is expected to be larger than last year with the Robusta crop equivalent to last year.

“There is a possibility that a parchment auction will be introduced this year,” Jamil says. “We are waiting on news from the Tanzania Coffee Board. It was discussed at the 2023 national stakeholder meeting, so we think it’s likely.” This new auction would open another way for local entities to buy parchment coffee at auction.

Training for IMPACT verification is in progress and we expect to have IMPACT-verified Arabica coffee available for export starting in July. IMPACT-verified Robusta is also in the works.

As part of IMPACT pillars and our broader efforts to prepare for EUDR and other deforestation regulations, COTACOF is working on GPS mapping the boundaries of farms within our supply chain.  Our partner, Trade in Space, has taken the mapping we’ve done so far and analyzed forest cover satellite data for the last few years and identified any potential areas of deforestation. COTACOF is now sending team members to speak with farmers in those ‘hot spots’ and ensure proper measures are taken to halt and ameliorate any deforestation events.

Last year, COTACOF’s helped Malindindo AMCOS finance an eco pulper, which is now in use at their washing station. The eco pulper uses significantly less water than the previous pulper the AMCOS used. Malindindo was able to access financing through COTACOF’s new AMCOS loyalty program, which now has 13 AMCOS enrolled. Through the loyalty program, AMCOS are ranked as bronze, silver and gold depending on the quantity of coffee they deliver to COTACOF each year. With each tier, AMCOS are able to access additional training, financing and support from COTACOF. The program is designed to incentivize investment in coffee farming and long-term relationship-building with COTACOF.

Now is the perfect time to start booking your Tanzania coffees, especially if you’re interested in our limited quantities of IMPACT-verified Arabica. Get in touch with your trader today to start discussing your Tanzania coffees. You can also express your interest in IMPACT-verified Robusta so you can be the first to hear when it becomes available.