Coffee farmers are eager to prove the quality of their products in the forthcoming Cup of Excellence 2013 competition due in June. Through the competition farmers will be expected to showcase their finest brands in a bid to attract more customers. Since its inception in 2008, Cup of Excellence has attracted competitiveness among quality coffee brands in the country and thus paved way for more international investments in the sector. According to National Agricultural Exportation Board (Naeb), farmers will be mobilised and prepared to participate in the competition, which is slated for next month and the grand-finale in Huye District. “The annual event has been a bigger forum to market and brand Rwandan coffee. Farmers, processors and exporters are urged to start preparing for the competition. This is a unique opportunity for Rwandan coffee farmers to showcase the uniqueness in their coffee, as well as interact with cuppers from different part of the world,” a statement from Naeb reads in part.Rules for participantsThe board also distributed guidelines and rules to guide farmers and processors on how to qualify for the competition. “This is going to be a great event; the eventual winner will get very many incentives but even the participants are bound to get more buyers. This is why I am looking it keenly as a marketing event,” Jean Bosco Ngabonzinza of Coopec, a renowned coffee cooperative, told The New Times. “It will also be a big opportunity to market coffee brands in foreign markets because the quality will be guaranteed.”ParticipationThe Executive Secretary of Dukunde Kawa Cooperative, Isaac Nsanzamahoro, is optimistic that many farmers and processors will participate in order to gain an edge in the competition. “When a farmer wins in the competition, we give them extra payment when buying their coffee because we believe their coffee is the best. That is why farmers always love these competitions,” he said. Rwanda also participates in different regional and international coffee exhibitions like African Coffee Association (AFCA). Recently, Rwandan coffee was exhibited in Boston, USA, during the Specialty Coffee Association of America conference. International price for coffee stands at $3.1 (about Rwf1,955) per kilogramme, while the farm gate price this year is Rwf143 per kilogramme of cherries. Naeb, which is the custodian for coffee exports, currently boasts 19 tones of coffee in its warehouse, which is expected to be shipped before the end of June. However, the industry has over the years been susceptible to price fluctuations, although the challenge affects other agricultural products. too, according to Naeb.Coffee revenues dropped to $44.7 million in 2012 (Between January and October) from US$61.3 million in the same period of 2011.
