By John Majau
A worldwide coffee roasting company, Illy Caffe Spa, has shown interest in buying coffee from Meru County.
The company’s coffee buyer, Stefano Scanferla, recently visited Meru County Coffee Millers Co-operative Union (MCCMCU) for a fact finding mission.
MCCMCU is the only coffee union licensed to mill coffee and market at the same time. The union mills coffee for 34 societies, which are based in Meru North and Central zones.
“Last year, our plant milled 1,600 tonnes of beans, which was sold at the Nairobi Coffee Exchange, earning Sh800 million. On average farmers earned Sh45 per kilo but some farmers earned more depending on the quality of their coffee. Those with the best quality coffee earned up to Sh75 a kilo,” union chairman Zablon Mbaabu said.
He said the coffee societies are now encouraging farmers to go for quality coffee farming to earn more.
The union CEO Duncan Kiambia said selling their coffee directly to the roaster will see more cash flow to farmers.
Stefano Scanferla, the company representative who toured the union recently, said they were interested in Kenyan coffee because of its good quality
