November 2024 Discovery Coffee

MALAWI | Phoka Coffee Cooperative

MOLASSES, RAISINS, LIQUORICE

REGION | Phoka Hills, Rumphi

PROCESS | Fully Washed

SPECIES | Arabica 

VARIETY | Nyasa, Catimor, Geisha

ALTITUDE | 1300-2500 MASL

ABOUT PHOKA COFFEE COOPERATIVE

Phoka's exceptional coffee thrives in the picturesque Phoka Hills of Northern Malawi, nestled at elevations ranging from 1300 to 2500 metres above sea level. This breathtaking region lies to the east of Nyika National Park, approximately 150 kilometres from the bustling city of Mzuzu. Within this coffee-growing paradise, you'll find charming villages such as Chakaka, Mphachi, Salawe, Junju, and Vunguvungu.

Blessed with abundant rainfall, Nchenachena and Livingstonia enjoy an average of 1760 mm and 1806 mm of rainfall respectively. The northern and western parts of the region typically receive more rainfall than other areas. The climate is temperate, with mean annual temperatures ranging from 16 to 19 degrees Celsius. July marks the coldest month, while November takes the crown as the hottest month, with a mean monthly temperature fluctuation of about 7 degrees Celsius. It's these optimal conditions that contribute to the exquisite flavour profile of Phoka's coffee.

Both new and established farmers receive ongoing training in coffee farming best practices, with a focus on implementing regenerative agricultural principles whenever possible. This includes instruction on colour picking for ripe cherries and the processing procedures carried out at the washing station.

Once the coffee parchment undergoes treatment at the washing station, it is then transported to Satemwa in Thyolo. At Satemwa, the beans undergo hulling, grading, and sample testing. Following sample analysis, the coffee is sorted and packed into grain pro bags, ready for export.

Phoka Coffee is divided into 36 business centres across 13 zones within the Phoka Hills region. Each zone has a director, and these directors sit on the board.

HISTORY OF COFFEE IN MALAWI

The origins of the Phoka Cooperative are tied to the history of coffee production in Malawi.

In 1971, The Smallholder Coffee Authority was formed in Malawi as a means to provide farmers with loans and marketing for their cherries.

Due to mismanagement and a build-up of debt, however, it was decided that the organisation would be replaced by the Smallholder Coffee Farmers Trust in 1999. This was a step toward better cooperation, as farmers were now involved in management and operations. The Trust still offers needed support to coffee farmers today, helping with access to credit, training, and advice.

The Smallholder Authority eventually became the Smallholder Coffee Farmers Trust, which involved farmers in its management and operations, while helping with access to credit, training, and advice.

Also in 1999, the Mzuzu Coffee Association was established as a collective of six coffee-growing cooperatives: The Misuku Coop in Chitipa District, Nkhata-Bay Highlands Coop in Nkhata-Bay District, South East Mzimba Coop in Mzimba District, Ntchisi East Coop in Ntchisi District,the Viphya North Coop and Phoka Coop in Rumphi District.

By 2019, Phoka Hills had separated from the Mzuzu Coffee Association due to management problems and issues with delayed payments to farmers. These farmers instead established Phoka Coffee Cooperative as an independent association, partnering with Satemwa Tea and Coffee, who have been able to assist by providing Phoka Coffee with use of their milling and grading facilities. Satemwa have likewise been crucial to the exporting of Phoka coffee, handling logistics and supplying their own containers for shipping.