Coffee growers taking home K2.5mil weekly

PARCHMENT coffee buyers in Goroka are putting over K2.5 million into the pockets of small coffee growers in Eastern Highlands every week, says a regular buyer.
Buyer Neor Lute said 10 serious coffee processors in Goroka were spending K50,000 each day on parchment coffee, meaning a processor spends K250,000 per week.
“Ten buyers rolling out K250,000 each for five days means a total of K2.5 million is spent,” he said.
Lute said local coffee processors spends K50,000 each day to buy between 150 to 200 parchment bags weighing 60kg.
“A 60kg bag pays K4.50 per kg at current parchment market price,” he said.
Lute said they put up weighing scales while waiting for farmers to bring their coffee to them.
Large companies send trucks directly to villages.
Lute said small business activities in Goroka were picking up well especially during this peak coffee when parchment was being bought at K4.50 per kg.
“After the day’s buying is complete, the coffee bags are loaded to the warehouse,” he said.
“They are prepared for processing into green beans before they are exported.”