🇨🇩 DR Congo → the world · via Kenya

Congolese Coffee (Kivu Arabica & Robusta) — Export Supply

Coffee from the volcanic highlands around Lake Kivu is one of Africa's most exciting specialty origins. Grown at 1,460–2,000 m by smallholder cooperatives in North and South Kivu and Ituri, mostly Bourbon-type varieties, it is fully washed at community washing stations and sun-dried on raised beds.

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Overview

The DRC also grows Robusta in the lowland rainforest provinces (Tshopo, Bas-Uele, Équateur, Kongo Central) — natural-processed, full-bodied coffee for blends and soluble coffee.

Main markets: USA, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, specialty roasters worldwide.

Types, grades & specifications

Typical specifications; exact parameters are confirmed per lot on the quotation, inspection report and certificate of analysis.

Type 1 of 4 · 🇨🇩 DR Congo

Kivu Washed Arabica — Specialty (screen 15+)

Fully washed, high-grown Bourbon from Lake Kivu cooperatives, selected and sorted for specialty roasters. Typical cup: red berries, citrus, panela sweetness, floral finish.

Sample: $9.50/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

Species	Coffea arabica (Bourbon, Blue Mountain, Jackson types)
Process	fully washed, raised-bed dried
Screen	15 and above
Moisture	10–12%
Defects	≤ 5 / 300 g
Cup score	84–87 SCA
Altitude	1,460–2,000 m
Certification options	Fairtrade, organic, Rainforest Alliance

Type 2 of 4 · 🇨🇩 DR Congo

Kivu Washed Arabica — Commercial (Kivu 3 / Kivu 4)

Washed Arabica graded to commercial standards for blends and mainstream single-origin, with clean, sweet Kivu character at an accessible price.

Sample: $7.50/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

Process	washed
Grades	Kivu 3, Kivu 4 (DRC grading)
Moisture	10–12.5%
Defects	per grade
Cup	clean, mild, sweet
Packing	60 kg jute bags

Type 3 of 4 · 🇨🇩 DR Congo

Natural Arabica (DRC)

Sun-dried in the cherry; heavier body and fruit-forward cup. Used in blends and some specialty natural lots.

Sample: $6.50/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

Process	natural / dry
Moisture	≤ 12.5%
Cup	heavy body, ripe fruit
Packing	60 kg bags

Type 4 of 4 · 🇨🇩 DR Congo

Congo Robusta (natural)

Lowland rainforest Robusta with strong body, high caffeine and chocolate-earthy notes for espresso blends and soluble manufacturing.

Sample: $5.40/kg (indicative) Quote this type Order sample

Specifications

Species	Coffea canephora
Process	natural
Screens	18, 16, 14 / FAQ
Moisture	≤ 13%
Defects	per contract grade
Uses	espresso blends, instant coffee

Producing regions in DR Congo

Region	Notes
South Kivu (Kalehe, Kabare, Idjwi Island, Minova)	Lake Kivu shores; 1,460–2,000 m; bright, sweet washed Arabica.
North Kivu (Beni, Lubero, Rutshuru)	Highland cooperatives near the Rwenzori and Virunga ranges.
Ituri (Djugu, Mahagi)	High-grown Arabica near Lake Albert.
Tshopo, Bas-Uele, Équateur, Kongo Central	Lowland Robusta production.

Season

Arabica harvest: main crop approx. April–July (varies by altitude); Robusta: October–February.

Packaging

60 kg jute bags with GrainPro / hermetic liners
Micro-lots in 30 kg vacuum boxes

Export routes

Eastern DRC (Goma, Bukavu, Butembo, Bunia) → Uganda (Kasindi–Mpondwe) or Rwanda (Gisenyi/Rubavu) → Mombasa: 7–12 days by road
Eastern DRC → Kigoma / Lake Tanganyika or by road via Rwanda → Dar es Salaam (Central Corridor)
Katanga copper belt (Lubumbashi, Kolwezi) → Kasumbalesa → Zambia → Dar es Salaam, Durban or Walvis Bay; Lobito Corridor rail via Angola
Western DRC (Kinshasa, Équateur, Kongo Central) → Port of Matadi or Boma on the Atlantic
Air: Goma (GOM), Lubumbashi (FBM), Kinshasa N'djili (FIH) — or via Entebbe / Kigali / Nairobi

Documents

DRC export declaration & licence
OCC inspection / quality certificate
Certificate of Origin (COMESA / SADC / EAC as applicable)
Phytosanitary certificate (agricultural products)
CEEC certificate and ITSCI / ICGLR documentation (minerals)
CITES permit (listed timber species such as afrormosia)
Transit documents (T1, regional bond, RECTS tracking) for Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda routes

HS codes: 0901.11 (green coffee, not decaffeinated)

Tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold from eastern DRC are covered by the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation (EU 2017/821), US Dodd-Frank Section 1502 reporting and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance. We only work with licensed exporters using ITSCI or equivalent mine-to-export traceability, ICGLR certificates and third-party audited supply chains. Cobalt exports have been subject to DRC export suspension and quota measures since 2025; availability and quotas are confirmed at the time of contract.

Buyer guides

Guides for importers

Product Buying Guides

Kenya AA Coffee Supplier: Buy Green Arabica Beans Wholesale (AA, AB, PB)

Everything roasters and green-coffee importers need to buy Kenyan Arabica: grades, regions, harvest timing, traceability and how to get offers.

Read guide →

Sourcing Countries

Import from DR Congo: Buying Congolese Coffee, Cocoa, Copper, Cobalt & Timber Safely

Kivu coffee, fine-flavour cocoa, Katanga copper and cobalt, 3T minerals and Congo Basin hardwoods — and how to move them safely to your port.

Read guide →

Ready to import from Kenya?

Tell us the product, variety, quantity, Incoterm (FOB / CIF / CFR / DAP) and your destination port or airport. We reply with a formal quotation, usually within one business day.

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