Sainsbury's and Twin

This project is working to develop and bring two new African gourmet coffees to the UK. The project, led by Sainsburys involves a consortium with TWIN trading, Finlays, and two farmers’ cooperatives: Sopacdi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); and Mzuzu in Malawi.  The project is using the growth trends in UK consumer demand for differentiated, high quality coffees, to link production by identified organisations of smallholder farmers to this high value market. These groups are in two highly marginalised and impoverished areas, which both have a long history of arabica coffee production and the natural conditions required to produce high quality coffees. The projects involve an intensive process of supply chain development to ensure the products’ quality, traceability, and social and environmental credentials (including Fairtrade certification). Coffees are produced and delivered in a consistent and reliable manner, and that they are effectively manufactured, packaged and marketed so that consumer demand and loyalty is achieved and developed.  A special pack was launched during 'Fairtrade fortnight' in 2011 with a blend of coffees from the two sources and sold well in Sainsburys' outlets. The project involves over 3,000 coffee farmers and their families in DRCongo and the 3,200 farmers in Mzuzuu Malawi.

Sopacdi - In the DRC work has been underway to rehabilitate the farms through training and the supply of tools, getting the farmers certified for Fairtrade, as well as developing the capacity and systems within Sopacdi including the facilities for processing the coffee.  To date farmer training has been carried out and a new washing station completed. Supplies of quality washed coffee have been rising and the Co-operative is increasing its sales. Sopacdi’s systems and documentation now comply with the requirements for FLO and their members produce is now certified.

Sopacdi’s membership continues to increase, and is now over 3,000, as farmers are attracted by the prospects for finding more rewarding markets for their coffee.  After exporting two containers of coffee in the 2010 season, the plan is to increase to five during the 2011 season. 

Mzuzu – In Malawi there has been a focus on ensuring that the production system is productive and sustainable through on trials with a section of the Co-op, as well as work with the cooperative management on their quality control and marketing systems. Recently many farmers in the Cooperative who were not involved in the trials have begun to adopt the husbandry systems being tested. In 2010 a container of Fairtrade certified coffee was shipped to the UK and, after roasting, has been assessed as suitable for a range of Sainsburys blends.  This year several containers will be purchased by TWIN.