Sourcing & Sustainability
Transparent sourcing across East Africa with a commitment to sustainability and community empowerment
Our Sourcing Regions
We source premium coffee from renowned growing regions across East Africa, each offering unique flavor profiles shaped by altitude, soil, and climate.
Central Highlands, Kenya
Altitude: 1,400-2,000m
Nutrient-rich volcanic soils, bright acidity
Mt. Kenya Slopes
Altitude: 1,500-2,100m
Complex fruit notes, full body
Mt. Elgon, Kenya
Altitude: 1,600-2,300m
Sweet, balanced, wine-like notes
Uganda
Altitude: 1,200-2,000m
Robusta and Arabica, full-bodied
Rwanda
Altitude: 1,400-2,000m
Bright, clean, floral notes
Ethiopia
Altitude: 1,500-2,200m
Fruity, complex, diverse profiles
Tanzania
Altitude: 1,200-1,800m
Wine-like acidity, rich body
Coffee Processing Methods
Kenya's reputation for premium coffee begins after harvest. Through meticulous processing methods, we produce beans known for their clarity, bright acidity, and vibrant flavor.
Fully Washed (Kenyan Signature)
Freshly picked cherries are pulped to remove the outer skin. The beans undergo fermentation in water to remove mucilage, followed by a second soaking phase unique to Kenya. This enhances flavor clarity. Beans are then dried on raised beds and later milled and graded.
Flavor Profile:
Crisp acidity, complex fruit notes (blackcurrant, citrus), clean finish
Natural (Dry) Processing
Whole cherries are dried intact in the sun on raised beds. This method is less common in Kenya but practiced by select estates. The fruit remains on the bean during drying, imparting unique flavors.
Flavor Profile:
Heavier body, sweet, fruity, wine-like characteristics
Honey Processing
Part of the mucilage is retained during drying, creating a bridge between washed and natural coffees. This emerging method in Kenya is gaining interest for specialty micro-lots.
Flavor Profile:
Balanced sweetness, medium body, complex flavor profile
Grading and Traceability
Kenyan coffee is sorted by size and density using a strict grading system—including AA, AB, and PB (Peaberry). Each batch is traceable to its source, offering both quality assurance and supply chain transparency.
Processing details compiled from national coffee guidelines and producer resources under the AFA and Coffee Research Foundation.
Key Regulatory & Certification Bodies
Kenya's coffee industry operates under strict regulatory oversight and quality standards, ensuring traceability, safety, and excellence at every stage.
Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) – Coffee Directorate
Provides oversight and licensing for all coffee operations in Kenya, ensuring compliance with national standards and regulations.
Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE)
Central auction platform where Kenyan coffee is traded, ensuring transparent pricing and quality verification through competitive bidding.
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
Enforces quality and safety standards for coffee products, ensuring they meet both local and international requirements.
KEPHIS (Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service)
Provides export certification and phytosanitary inspection, guaranteeing that coffee meets international plant health standards.
Third-Party Certifications
We work with cooperatives and exporters who hold internationally recognized certifications, ensuring ethical and sustainable practices:
Fair Trade
Ensuring fair compensation and ethical trade practices
Organic
Chemical-free farming and environmental stewardship
Rainforest Alliance
Biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture
This overview is based on information sourced from Kenya's Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), Nairobi Coffee Exchange (NCE), and historical industry records.
Our Sustainability Commitment
At Haviv Africa, sustainability is central to how we grow—starting small but thinking long-term. We believe in building a better future through responsible practices and shared value.
Eco-Friendly Farming
We work with responsible producers who use sustainable farming practices. We promote recyclable packaging and plan to invest in carbon offsetting and soil regeneration initiatives as we scale.
Fair Pricing & Direct Trade
We support farmers through fair pricing and build direct trade relationships. Our goal is to ensure farming communities receive equitable compensation for their high-quality coffee.
Community Development
We aim to contribute to community development in health, education, and training—especially for women and youth. We believe in empowering the communities that grow our coffee.
Continuous Improvement
Guided by ethical trade principles, we are committed to transparency, traceability, and continuous improvement. Sustainability is a journey we walk hand-in-hand with our farmers, partners, and customers.
"Sustainability for us is a journey—one we walk hand-in-hand with our farmers, partners, and customers."