Burundi Izuba Nº 334

Izuba meaning “sun” in Kirundi, is located in Runinya, Kabarore Commune, of Kayanza Province. The station is managed by Ntama Appolinaire, who works alongside Prosper Merrimee and employs 250 local seasonal workers. The Izuba washing station is situated near the Kibira National Park where both the climate and soil are well suited to coffee production. Coffee is delivered to the station from the three surrounding hills (or collines); Kigeri, Ryamukona and Mugoyi.

Payments to the producers are made in three instalments. The first is early in the season, the second at the end of the harvest, and the third is a supplementary amount paid in relation to the final quality and sale price of the coffee. In addition the employees of the washing station are paid 33% more than the national average salary.

The coffee cherries, once harvested, are delivered to the washing station. In the case of the honey process, the cherries are floated and pulped, before they are taken to the drying tables. The naturals are floated, sorted and are then also laid on the drying tables. Both take 25 - 30 days to fully dry before the outer fruit can be removed.