news & stories

goes to Long Miles Coffee's solar cell project in Burundi

Christmas. Besides crack, Donald Duck, seven kinds of herring and Silent Night, Christmas is a lot about caring. An opportunity to stop in the middle of the mess and think a little extra about our fellow human beings - both those close to us and those we may not even know. 

From all of us to a coffee producer

We, Johan & Nyström, also usually take the opportunity to give a little extra like this at Christmas time. Several of our coffee producers, with whom we have long and close relationships, operate in countries and areas that have to struggle in a different way than most of us here in the Nordics have to do. Being able to contribute a little extra together with you, our customers and coffee enthusiasts, therefore feels very good!

The coffee berries are sorted in the evening

The coffee growers in Burundi work all day picking coffee berries on their farms. When evening comes, they take the day's harvest to the Long Miles washing station where the berries are to be sorted, washed and then dried. By this time it has gotten dark and lighting is needed at the sorting tables so they can see which berries are of the right quality and which need to be removed. This process of course requires electricity! So do water pumps and other machines, such as those that separate the beans from the pulp.

Electricity - a scarce commodity

Today, diesel generators are used to get electricity, and since it is difficult to get hold of fuel, operation becomes very unreliable. The fuel is also expensive and environmentally unsustainable!

Solar cells - a way forward!

Together with Long Miles, we have started a project where we will build solar cells on the roof of the washing station. Thanks to the energy the sun can then generate, operation will be both more stable and cheaper. And at the same time better for the environment!

SEK 20 per kilo of Christmas coffee sold goes to the project

For us at Johan & Nyström, the coffee producers are the most important we have and it feels great to be able to give a little extra this Christmas. And the best thing of all is that you also join in and contribute! The more Christmas coffee we sell in 2022 the closer the Long Miles Coffee Project in Burundi gets bright, sustainable evenings.

 

Text: Jonas Hult

It goes without saying that the past year has been very challenging, to say the least. For us at Johan & Nyström, restrictions and regulations have led to a drop in sales and volume together with many uncertainties about what’s laying ahead. However, that’s nothing compared to the uncertainties that coffee producers have been facing this year. Some of the challenges they have been facing and questions that they have been asking themselves are; Will the buyers/roasters even be there after the pandemic is over? Will they own up to their contract or will they default? If they are, will the coffee get shipped in time?

This past year we’ve seen massive disruptions in the logistical chain, which is crucial for coffee. Lack of containers, congestions in ports, not enough vessels, higher shipping costs all happening at the same time, in some sort of “perfect logistical storm”. Even if producers get the coffee out, what about next year? What necessary investments can be made in the farm? What investments can be postponed? Are they forced to sell the coffee to the lowest bidder at a loss to simply cover our losses the best they can?

As said earlier, we’ve seen a drop in sales compare to previous years. Obviously, that leads to less coffee being used and subsequently, less coffee that can be bought from producers. This year, it was especially three producers that were facing lower volumes from us at Johan & Nyström. When working with producers for more than 10 years, giving that sort of news basically makes you feel like the worst person in the world. Needless to say, you try your hardest to come up with a solution to at least ease the blow.

Together with the producers, we tried to find the best way going forward. Surely, us buying as much coffee that we could this year was a given. However, no one benefits from us over stocking on coffee. A big problem for many producers is access to finance, and often (ridiculously) high interest rates. Over 15% isn’t unusual, given the lack of collateral. A signed contract can act as such. That’s why, the second step was extending the length of the contract, to reach into 2023 and 2024.

The third thing was to pre-finance part of next year’s purchase. Meaning that we pay the producers now, for something that we will receive in 12-14 months. I.e., we’re paying for coffee that doesn’t even exist yet.

On a personal note, I’m very proud that we were able to do this, in the middle of a pandemic given the risks that comes with it, as well as the strain it puts on our liquidity in times when basically all other investments are at a stop. I also realize that this might seem like a big pad on the back for ourselves. In part, that’s true. Because I think it’s important for everyone working at Johan & Nyström to feel proud of what we’re doing. However, this is also a big pad on the back for all of you who’s buying our coffee. Without your support, it’s impossible for us to support the producers. So, a socially distanced toast to you!

How do you pack one of the world's most expensive coffee in a way that clearly conveys the exceptional quality? In connection with today's very limited release of Los Lajones Geisha from Panama, we also launch a brand new design that does just that. Curious about the creative process and the way there? Read more here.