Faces and Portraits

Perspectives from the field: How global changes shape local coffee work in Uganda

Faces and Portraits

Perspectives from the field: How global changes shape local coffee work in Uganda

This is a guest article written by Annet Kawuki from Ibero Uganda. (click to learn more about her)

NAME
Annet Kawuki

COMPANY
Ibero Uganda Limited

POSITION/ DEPARTMENT
Robusta Procurement Officer / Commercial department

DATE OF BIRTH
August 8

DATE OF FIRST DAY AT NKG
November 1, 2019

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT WORKING AT NKG?
The opportunities to grow. 🙌 The best extension of knowledge in the coffee industry world. And the opportunities given to farmers for their growth make me want be part of the team to witness the happiness of the farmers.

I joined Ibero Uganda, a subsidiary of the Neumann Kaffee Gruppe (NKG), in November 2019 as an assistant accountant in the Masaka region under NKG Bloom. While my background was in finance – with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Makerere University and CPA certification – my journey took an unexpected turn when I discovered my passion for coffee.

Initially stationed at our regional buying centre, I found myself drawn to learning about coffee quality analysis and connecting with farmers. What started as curiosity evolved into expertise as I became our de facto quality assessor while maintaining my accounting responsibilities. A year later, I moved to our head office in Kampala as an accountant, which only deepened my interest in coffee grades and quality assessment.

In March 2022, I took on my current role as Robusta Procurement Officer. Despite some skepticism about my transition from finance to procurement, my determination and unique combination of skills proved valuable. Currently, as I pursue my master’s degree in business administration at ESAMI (Eastern and Southern African Management Institute), I work with a fantastic team to bridge the gap between coffee producers and consumers, ensuring quality, sustainability, and growth throughout the entire coffee value chain.

Influence of external factors on my work life

In my role, I have learned that our work is constantly shaped by forces beyond our control. Market volatility affects our daily pricing decisions, while climate change impacts our farmers’ yields and coffee quality. Consumer preferences are evolving rapidly, pushing us to adapt our sourcing strategies and quality standards.

To stay effective in my position, I have made it a priority to stay informed about market trends and climate reports. I maintain regular conversations with our suppliers and producers, helping us anticipate and adapt to changes. This requires me to balance short-term price negotiations with long-term sustainability considerations, always keeping both our farmers’ wellbeing and our company’s objectives in mind.

Feelings about the changes over the years in coffee

During my five years in the industry, I have witnessed a remarkable transformation. In my perspective, sourcing coffee has evolved with increasing emphasis on quality, traceability, and sustainability. The rise of specialty coffee and direct trade relationships has brought new excitement to our work, though it also presents new challenges.

What I find most striking is how sustainability has moved from being an abstract word to a central concern. Climate change isn’t just a distant threat anymore – it’s affecting our farmers’ daily lives and changing how we approach coffee production. As someone who works closely with both the financial and agricultural aspects of coffee, I feel a deep responsibility to help drive positive change in these areas.

How the life of the people I work with has changed

My colleagues and I have seen significant shifts in how we work. Digital tools have transformed our operations, from using data analytics for forecasting to implementing traceable coffee for supply chain transparency. Remote work and digital platforms have changed how we communicate with producers and manage our relationships.

Our work has become more complex but also more meaningful. We are not just moving coffee between points anymore; we’re ensuring that every step from farm to cup is ethical, transparent, and sustainable. This has added new dimensions to everyone’s roles, requiring us to constantly learn and adapt. Particularly, complex decisions affected by markets have led to for instance closure of buying centres and the role they play in solving youth unemployment in these areas they existed.

Perception of suppliers influenced by external factors

Working closely with our suppliers, especially coffee producers, I have seen how vulnerable they are to external pressures. Climate change poses perhaps the biggest threat – a single extreme weather event can devastate an entire season’s crop. Coupled with the challenges of market price fluctuations, changing consumer demands, our suppliers face a complex web of challenges.

In my procurement role, I’ve learned that supporting our suppliers through these challenges is crucial. This might mean adjusting our pricing strategies during difficult seasons, providing technical support for improving quality, or offering guidance on sustainable farming practices. Our relationship with suppliers has evolved from simple buying and selling to true partnership in facing these challenges together.

What the future holds for coffee

Despite the challenges we face, I remain optimistic about coffee’s future with the new mill being built right now in Kampala (New IBERO 2.0 🔗). I believe we’re moving toward a more sustainable and equitable industry, driven by both necessity and innovation. In my daily work, I see an increasing adoption of precision agriculture techniques and research into more resilient coffee varieties, which gives me hope for the future of production.

Technology will play a crucial role in this evolution. From my finance background, I appreciate how digital tools can improve transparency and efficiency in our supply chain. But more importantly, I believe technology will help us better support our farmers and ensure the sustainability of coffee production.

I expect consumers will continue to demand more transparency and sustainability in their coffee, which will further drive positive changes in how we source and process coffee. While this presents challenges, it also creates opportunities for those of us working to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers.

Most importantly, I believe the future of coffee lies in strengthening the connections between all players in the value chain. Drawing on my unique perspective from both finance and procurement, I see how integrating sustainable practices, fair pricing, and quality standards can create a more resilient coffee industry for everyone involved.

One Response

Annet Kawuki says:

13. December 2024 at 21:29

Thank you NKG family for this opportunity

Reply

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