Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1013597
STiR coffee and tea 17 NEWS Burundian smallholders are developing more specialty coffee export capabilities things moving. It is also important that the way coffee farmers produce, and coffee washing is safe for the environment. If not done today, tomorrow the business may not be there. STiR: As an exporter, please describe the importance of coffee education to the success of your operation. Salum: Coffee education is very important. Quality of coffee does not just happen. One must know how to produce great coffee. From farmers, wet millers, dry millers, cuppers, exporters, logisticians, baristas etc, each of these must know his role in the value chain. STiR: What is the affect of a good education program on your employees and customers? Salum: Employers are the ones who are involved on daily basis on producing good quality coffee. So, they need to be educated on good practices. STiR: Who is your main export market currently? Salum: Europe and the United States STiR: Do customers there care enough to pay a premium for third-party certification or for a coffee where some of the proceeds support a "cause"? Salum: Yes, they do if certified coffee tastes great also. STiR: Is this a vocal minority, a single demographic, or the majority of consumers? Salum: There are some buyers who do not care about this much. But they are more interested in quality. But the European market is focusing certification. All over the world, organic coffee is being sought. Other certification like UTZ | Rainforest Alliance, 4C, Fair Trade are also being sought. It is a trend and we must adjust whilst not forgetting the sustainability of good taste. STiR: Burundi, what are your biggest challenges in exporting? Salum: Burundi is landlocked country. Trucks must take coffee to Dar Es Salaam or Mombasa. This makes us not very competitive. Buyers may seek to buy FOB (free on board) while many exporters in Burundi are selling FOT (free on truck). Despite this, Burundi exporters are being more flexible and are selling FOB Mombasa.* *FOB Mombasa or FOB Dar Es Salaam means that the seller pays for transportation of the goods to the port of shipment, plus loading costs. The buyer pays the cost of marine freight transport, insurance, unloading, and transportation from the arrival port to the final destination. Salum: Transparency is to share the information related to the business. Buyers should know the cost on each step along the value chain. This includes knowing the price farmers is being paid, processing fees, logistic fees etc. All must be detailed for the buyer to know where the price is paying is distributed. STiR: The term "sustainability" is used in many contexts. What does sustainability mean to you? Salum: Sustainability means: keep going the business I am doing now and in the future. This means that I must work with farmers, buyers, and other people involved in the value chain to keep