KIGALI - THE Cup of Excellence, the most esteemed award for quality top coffees in the world, has awarded 22 best local coffees out of 154 lots that entered the competition.

The second competition in Rwanda, and the only one on the continent, selects the very best coffee produced in that country for that particular year. The best coffees are chosen by a select group of national and international cuppers.

The awards that took place yesterday at Serena Hotel, aims at encouraging farmers to improve the quality of their product right from the gardens to the final consumers.
The selected coffees are cupped at least five different times during the competition.

Prime Minister Bernard Makuza, who was the guest of honour during the ceremony, encouraged Rwandan coffee farmers to improve the quality of their produce and take advantage of the competition as a marketing tool for the coffee.

"The competition should encourage the farmers to enhance both the quality and quantity of coffee in order to compete on the global market,” said Makuza.

The first cup of excellence competition in Rwanda took place in 2008 and due to the improved quality, it earned farmers Rwf100 million in profits which was shared by 3,000 farmers.

Makuza also reiterate the importance of the cup of excellence that improves the quality of coffee hence improved prices for the Rwandan coffee on the international market.

"The last competition saw the best coffee selling at US$40 per kilogram which was profitable to the farmers and to the general economic growth of Rwanda,” added Makuza.
It was also noted that in 2008 competition, US$500,000 was earned from the sale of 10 tonnes of coffee.

The jury that selected the best coffee noted that Rwandan coffee has gained international reputation and a prestigious profile which has resulted from increased sales with high prices from coffee roasters, retailers and coffee shops around the world.

The continued improvement in the Rwandan coffee can also be attributed to the increased coffee washing stations that have moved from two washing stations in 2003 to 183 to date.

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