RWANDA – FTO MICROLOT – COOPAC – KIRORERO – NKIRA – WASHED

Microlots from Rwanda are traceable to the cooperative and washing-station
level, and are selected on the basis of cup quality. These lots are separated
out from the larger bulked day lots that the washing station produces, and
represent the highest quality Rwandan offerings on our list.

COOPAC is a Fair Trade–certified cooperative located near Lake Kivu on the steep slopes of volcanic mountains. The organization was founded by Emmanuel Rwakagara, who is the president of COOPAC as well as the owner of the Gishamwana Island coffee estate. COOPAC began with 110 farmers in April 2001 and currently has 8,000 members contributing coffee from Ack, Ubuzima, Tuzamurane, Kopabm, Abakundakurima, and Abanyamurava. With 6 washing stations along the northern landscape of Lake Kivu, COOPAC exports 150 containers of Fair Trade-certified coffee annually.