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Mt Elgon Coffee
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MEACCE partners with local farmers to bring you sustainably sourced, Fairtrade, and organic-certified coffee. Each bean reflects our commitment to excellence, sustainability, and supporting smallholder farmers.

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Coffees

Mt Elgon Washed Arabica

The farmers of Mt. Elgon work tirelessly to produce coffee of exceptional quality, yet they often receive less than $1 per pound, despite their invaluable contributions. MEACCE Ltd is committed to changing this by ensuring that proceeds and premiums from every sale are reinvested in community-driven projects, aimed at elevating standards of living, promoting climate adaptation, and advancing gender equality and social inclusion (GESI).

Our goal is to build a socially and economically thriving community within a sustainable environment. MEACCE doesn’t trade in members’ coffee but empowers farmers to market their products to their greatest benefit. Our coffee scores 84+ points on the SCA scale, with notes of citrus, dark chocolate, tropical fruit, brown spices, and a sweet, well-balanced aftertaste. Grown predominantly by smallholder agroforestry communities, our coffee embodies a dedication to climate consciousness and gender justice.

Each cup of MEACCE coffee represents more than just excellent flavor. It signifies support for climate resilience, social equity, and the improvement of farmers' lives on the slopes of Mt. Elgon.

Thank you for being part of this impact by enjoying MEACCE’s unique, high-quality coffee. 

Next Generation (NextGen) Washed Arabica Coffee

Uganda, the “Pearl of Africa,” has one of the youngest populations in the world, with over 70% of its 46 million citizens under 35. Agriculture is the backbone of Uganda, but over 95% of Ugandans involved in farming operate on a subsistence level. Coffee is a key export, yet it’s managed primarily by older farmers, with the average age on Mt. Elgon around 50. This generational gap, caused by cultural barriers and lack of opportunity for youth, puts the future of coffee at risk.

MEACCE (Mt. Elgon Agroforestry and Coffee Cooperative Enterprise) is working to bridge this gap. Since 2017, our cooperative has supported thousands of farmers, with initiatives aimed at youth, women, and marginalized communities. We’ve established a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion policy, offering programs on gender rights, vocational training (crafts, sanitary pads, soap making), internships, and employment. These efforts empower young people to find purpose and alleviate financial pressures on families.

By choosing “NextGen” coffee, you’re directly supporting the youth of Mt. Elgon, ensuring they appreciate the value of coffee production and are incentivized to continue this legacy. Your contribution not only enriches lives today but secures the future of Mt. Elgon coffee for generations to come. Thank you for helping sustain both the land and the livelihoods that depend on it. 

Elgon Mothers Natural and Washed Arabica

On Mt. Elgon, cultural and traditional norms have historically marginalized women, often viewing them as the property of men. This perception denies women access to land, limiting their role in agricultural production and leaving most families entirely dependent on men’s income from coffee. Though women perform much of the labor on farms, men typically receive the earnings, creating frustration and discouragement among women. This imbalance often leads to domestic conflict, as men believe they provide for the household while viewing women’s contributions as negligible, while women feel undervalued and burdened by unrecognized labor.

MEACCE Ltd is committed to addressing this gap, promoting women’s participation in coffee production and ensuring they benefit equally. Through our Elgon Mothers Coffee brand, marketed internationally, we support women-grown coffee that attracts an additional premium. This initiative empowers women economically, helping reduce their dependence on husbands. 

To avoid conflicts that could arise from women’s increased economic independence, MEACCE offers training for both men and women through the Gender Action Learning System (GALS), encouraging families to work and contribute equally.

With a growing membership of 3,832 farmers, including 796 women, MEACCE has seen a positive shift where women who supply coffee receive extra premiums which are channeled through their savings schemes, giving them access to affordable finance for household needs. This has already reduced domestic violence in some families, inspiring more men to allocate coffee plants to their wives after seeing the benefits.

When you choose Elgon Mothers Coffee, you’re not only enjoying a quality cup but also supporting women’s economic empowerment on Mt. Elgon, fostering family harmony, and contributing to sustainable coffee production. 
This coffee is both Central-processed natural and central-processed washed
Thank you for being part of this journey toward lasting change. 

Source of the Nile Natural Robusta Coffee

The Jinja Shalom Coffee Cooperative Society is a central player in the coffee production landscape in Jinja and Kamuli Districts, where farmers are growing Robusta coffee, often alongside other crops like sugarcane. The cooperative is pivotal in organizing and supporting farmers in the region, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving livelihoods.

The Jinja Shalom Coffee Cooperative is producing high-quality Robusta coffee with a unique flavor profile that includes chocolate, vanilla, and stone fruit notes. The coffee's sustainability credentials, combined with the high-quality cup score (above 83 points), position it well in both local and international markets. By leveraging organic and mixed-crop farming systems, along with potential certifications, the cooperative can enhance farmers' incomes while promoting environmentally sustainable practices. There is substantial opportunity for the cooperative to expand its impact, increase its market share, and further improve the livelihoods of its members.

Robusta production Key aspects

Farm Structure and Agronomy
Mixed Crop System:
Farmers in these districts typically grow Robusta coffee alongside bananas and shade trees. This mixed cropping system is not only beneficial for crop diversification but also enhances the sustainability of the coffee production by improving soil health and providing natural shade to the coffee plants.

Organic by Default: The coffee is grown primarily under an organic farming system by default, meaning that the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers is minimal, which supports environmental sustainability and may allow farmers to pursue organic certification in the future.
Geography and Climate
Altitude and Rainfall:
The coffee is grown at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,400 meters above sea level (masl), a favorable altitude range for Robusta coffee that helps achieve good cup quality.

The region also experiences an average annual rainfall of 2,015mm, providing consistent moisture for coffee cultivation and contributing to steady yields.
Production Volume
Total Coffee Production:
The cooperative estimates 500,000 kilograms of dry cherries are harvested from 450 hectares of land. This indicates a solid volume of coffee being produced, with potential for growth and expansion as the cooperative gains further support.

Average Farm Size and Yield:
On average, a farmer cultivates 1.2 hectares of coffee and produces 1,000 kilograms of dry cherries. Given this, the average yield per tree is about 1 kg of dry cherry, which indicates healthy, productive trees.
Coffee Quality and Characteristics
Flavor Profile:
The Robusta coffee from this area scores above 83 points on the coffee grading scale, which is a high score for Robusta and signifies excellent quality.

The flavor profile is rich and complex, with notes of:
- Stone fruit
-Dried fruit
-Mild sweetness
-Full-bodied texture
-Chocolate, vanilla, and cocoa
-Clove-like finish and a touch of mild salt.

Grading:
The coffee has a screen size distribution of:
-30% of screen 18 (larger beans, preferred for higher-end markets)
-60% of screen 15 (medium-sized beans)
-10% of screen 12 (smaller beans, still representing good quality)
Farmer Engagement and Cooperative Structure
Jinja Shalom Coffee Cooperative: As the primary cooperative, Jinja Shalom Coffee Cooperative Society Ltd supports its members in organizing, marketing, and selling their coffee. By working together, farmers benefit from economies of scale, shared resources, and collective bargaining power, which help secure better prices and market access.

The cooperative is a key player in facilitating training, technical support, and sustainable farming practices to ensure higher quality and better yields for its members.