New Dawn, New Day, New Season
The sun is shining at the Zukuka Bora office this morning, the roaster’s turning over and preparations for the new season ahead are well underway, as we look forward to having our biggest and best season yet. Cherry purchasing is expected to begin at the end of the month, so work has kicked up a gear, forging ahead on all fronts. The ground at the new land in Kotulai is being prepared for drying racks to be installed later this month, as well as new racks being constructed up in Muyanda and Wanale. No matter the weather this season, we’re going to be prepared! Or as prepared as we can be, field work has a recurrent habit of throwing spanners in works.
As I write we’re organising payment for a new single cab pickup, more buying sites and drying facilities means more kilometres on the roads and the old fleet was beginning to be stretched a little thin. On the same note, more team members are being brought on board, from the field team to office administration, although the full contracts aren’t quite yet signed so watch this space for proper introductions in due course. Development is also underway in our new office as we work at making a house a home, to borrow an overused cliché. All in all, for those of you reading this that have been to visit us in the past I think you’ll find us in a very different place to where you left us! And for those of you reading who haven’t been to visit us, please you’re welcome. Come out, we’d love to have you.
On to brass tacks-the coffee itself. This year we’re doing a bit of restructuring of our lots and offerings, both with our in country roasting and then also with our green exports as well. As the season progresses and we start shipping samples there’ll be more details to come, but don’t worry, your favourites aren’t going anywhere! If anything, they’re going to be even better.
All the good news above is the result of the tireless hard work and unending generosity of so many people both here in Uganda and across the world, too many to name and some who would prefer their names stay unmentioned. Suffice to say we wouldn’t in the position that we’re in without you all, so thank you.
Amidst all this change, it’s perhaps worth mentioning some things that are staying the same. Our commitment to paying a fair price to farmers, and equipping and preparing them to face the challenges of climate change; to being transparent and open, both within our team and those we do business with; and to producing the best coffee on Mt Elgon!
If you’re interested in finding out more about what we’re about, our mates at Commonfolk have put together a documentary about what goes on here and it’s history and it’s absolutely amazing, look them up @commonfolkcoffee and check it out. Or just shoot us an email, the door is aways open…