Mercanta’s commitment to quality coffee in Africa highlighted in April-June 2016 AFCA Newsletter

Farmers in East Africa are enduring an extremely tough year. Michael Gehrken, who farms Blackburn Estate in Tanzania, recently sent us an update on the challenges he is facing as the new crop starts coming in. It’s a vivid reminder of how much hard graft goes into producing the fine coffees we source. The severe

On my recent visit to Blackburn Estate in Tanzania I was delighted to visit the nearby primary school in Mangola Juu village. In partnership with South African roaster Origin Coffee Roasting and with the assistance of Blackburn’s owner Michael Gehrken, Mercanta has sponsored repairs and building materials for the school. The school’s headmaster, Peter Genda, showed

In February I was lucky to have the chance to attend the annual East African Fine Coffees Association (EAFCA) conference, close to Arusha in northern Tanzania. This was my first trip to origin for Mercanta so I was very excited to get going – if a little unsure of what to expect. Needless to say,