DR Congo
Located in Central Africa, The Democratic Republic of Congo is a vast and varied country. From the enormous Zaire River basin to the snow capped peaks of the Rwenzories, D.R. Congo is simply immense. The climate is tropical, with huge expanses of rainforest close to the equator. D.R Congo has fertile land that grows a range of food crops and cash crops, principally coffee. D.R. Congo also has considerable mineral resources – copper and diamonds being the most important of these. However, economic mismanagement and political turmoil have ruined the economy. In particular the war of 1998 – 2002 has dramatically reduced national output and government revenue, increased external debt, and has resulted in the deaths of perhaps 3.5 million people from war, famine, and disease.
But there is hope… A recent peace accord uniting the country has re-opened the Congo River – the main transport network from east to west – and consequently the economy is beginning to recover.
Schluters in DR Congo…
Our associated company in Kivu was established in 1970, though its activities have been reduced due to the political situation in recent years. We work with local exporters on the processing and export primarily of Kivu 4, and also the high quality Robustas from this region – the HTMNM, and HTNMI qualities, both renowned for the foam (spuma) which they add to expresso blends.
Our contact in D.R. Congo:
ESCO KIVU SPRL, B.P. 3413, Goma/Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Attention: Mr Philip Betts, Tel: (care of ESCO UGANDA) +256.41.254.604
Type of coffee – Arabica, Robusta
Main Regions – Kivu, Equateur, Bas-Congo
Marketing System – Direct Sale, Auction
Process – Wet and Dry
Harvest Season – January – November
Port of Shipment – Matadi/Bama, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam
Cupping Characteristics – Well rounded, medium body, medium acidity
