UGANDA – MWENA ORGANIC
Mwena means ‘heap’ in Lubwisi, the local language of Bundibugyo region in western Uganda. It is an appropriate name for this cacao, since it is fermented in heaps on the farmer’s homestead. All farmers have received fermentation training & tools to measure temperature & pH, so that they can strictly control the fermentation process in banana leaves, & follow the prescribed protocols.
Location
- Region: Bundibugyo region, West Uganda
- Producers: Cooperative
Quality
- Variety: blend Trinitario and Forastero types
- Flavour Identity: dried cherry, eucalyptus wood, floral
- Fermentation: 7 days heap fermentation
- Drying: sun-drying on plastics
- Harvest: September – April
Supply Chain
100% traceable supply chain from smallholder farmers organized in a cooperative. Cacao is produced, processed and packed in 60 kg bags at the cooperative, and transported by truck to Kampala, where it is consolidated and prepared for export.
People
Farmers receive Premium prices for quality and organic certification, and are trained in quality and post-harvesting allowing value addition for member farmers.
Forest & Nature
Sustainable agroforestry system in symbioses with the natural environment. No pesticides and only organic fertilizers are used. It is organic certified by EU and USDA.
