2nd Annual Saveur du Kivu Competition Showcasing DRC Coffees

All images courtesy of Saveur du Kivu.

Several parties operating at the intersection of coffee and humanitarianism are gearing up for the 2nd Annual Saveur du Kivu, an event designed to celebrate and promote the reemergence of specialty coffee from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The event — including a cupping competition, supply chain workshops and coffee farm visits — takes place May 19-21 in Bukavu, the capital city of the South Kivu province in the Eastern DRC. More than 30 coffee-growing organizations submitted samples for last year’s inaugural event, and organizers this year are continuing to recruit additional farmer groups, coffee buyers, exporters and others interested in DRC coffee to participate.

South Kivu Governor Marcellin Chisambo and Minister of Agriculture Adolphine Muley congratulate participants of Saveur du Kivu, along with organizers Beth Ann Caspersen (Equal Exchange), Richard Hide (Twin), Baraka Kasali (Eastern Congo Initiative), Chris Treter (On the Ground), and Butoto Naum (UGEAFI)

The cupping competition will utilize SCAA grading protocols. Workshops and panel discussions will focus on a range of topics related to the continued growth and long-term sustainability of the DRC specialty arabica sector, with an emphasis on gender equality and long-term support for smallholder farmers. Here’s more from the organizers (for those interested in participating, see contact info below):

Discussions will include policy and industry practices aligned to bring gender equality and increased benefit to small scale growers as means to provide peace and prosperity to a region with huge growth potential for the production of high quality arabica coffees.

The specialty coffee industry in DRC is proving to be a successful strategy in bringing about economic stability and peace throughout the fertile highlands of Congo. Last years’ historic event saw over 30 coffee growing organizations throughout the DRC, submitting samples. It was the first time in history that a representative sampling of specialty coffees in the country were objectively evaluated by a team of coffee professionals. Saveur du Kivu is proving to be an important cornerstone in the foundation of DRC’s specialty coffee industry already known to produce some of the finest arabica coffees in the world.

Hosted by the Government of South Kivu, the event is being organized in collaboration with the DRC National Coffee Office, Eastern Congo Initiative, On the Ground, Catholic Relief Services, CRS Coffeelands and Twin. To participate in Saveur du Kivu, contact Chris Treter of Higher Grounds Trading at [email protected]. 

Beth Ann Caspersen (Equal Exchange), Tim Hill (Counter Culture), Caleb Nicholes (Kickapoo Coffee), Stephen Vick (Blue Bottle) cupping during the inaugural Saveur du Kivu last year.