SOPACDI

Situated on the shores of Lake Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, SOPACDI benefits from an exceptional environment for producing high-quality coffee. It was the first smallholder organization in Eastern Congo to achieve both Fair Trade and Organic certifications and the first to export specialty-grade coffee, beginning in 2008.

Following Congolese independence in the 1960s, the region experienced decades of instability, marked by conflict and civil war. Many farmers were forced to abandon their land during this period. Today, although challenges remain, a growing number of farmers are returning to agriculture to rebuild their lives. By 2015, SOPACDI had grown to 7,451 farmer-members whose resilience and collective spirit continue to drive the cooperative forward. Together, they are committed to improving coffee quality and strengthening traceability.

SOPACDI exports two types of coffees: Grade 2 fully washed, processed collectively at cooperative wet mills using cherries delivered by farmers; and Grade 4, processed by farmers at the farm level before delivering dried parchment to the cooperative. 

Solidarite pour la Promotion des Actions Cafe et le Developpement Integral

Profile



Varietals Grown:

  • 94% Bourbon
  • 6% Other

Social Premium Investment: 2022 Crop Year Fair Trade Certification guarantees 20 cents/lb of the price paid a producer organization is set aside as a social premium. How this money is invested is a decision taken collectively by the general assembly of members at the end of each harvest. Below is a break down of how producers in this organization chose to spend their fair trade premium.

45%
Infastructure Purchase of materials for drying tables.
28%
Debt amortization Paying back certain debts from the organization.
25%
Improve Yields Workshops conducted for members aon good agricutltural practices, coffee tree renovation, agroforestry practices and shade tree cover.
2%
Education Scholarships for secondary school students.