Burundi Busasa (JAN 26)

Busasa Coffee Washing Station, established in 2014 in the Gashoho area of northern Burundi, sources coffee from approximately 1,600 smallholder farmers in the surrounding hills. The station operates with a core team of six full-time staff and up to 150 seasonal workers, and is equipped with 151 African drying beds. Farmers delivering to Busasa receive a 20% premium above local market prices, while station staff earn wages nearly 60% higher than the national average. Busasa is part of Matraco, a Burundian-owned company that also operates two additional washing stations in the region. Matraco supports producers through compost distribution and seedling donations, and maintains close quality oversight by transporting coffee using its own fleet of trucks. As Burundi’s coffee sector has liberalized, increased access to washing stations and quality incentives has helped farmers improve both cup quality and livelihoods.