Zambia Kateshi Estate AA

Kateshi coffee estate, as one of the first coffee estates in Zambia, was established in 1972 close to Kateshi village. Back then, its wet processing facilities represented the heart of coffee production in northern Zambia having been the central mill for all coffee produced in the region. It is also award-winning; its natural and honey placing both 1st and 2nd in Zambia's annual Taste of Harvest competition.

Local Community is at the heart of the estate's vision. They provide daily access to safe drinking water to over 20,000 locals and supports 3 schools that provide 1,500+ students with primary and secondary education. Also on site is a health clinic, the only such facility for 30km. Complete with a pharmacy and delivery room, the clinic provides free basic healthcare to over 4,000 community members and sees an average of 95 visitors per day.

Kateshi has been recognized for boldly challenging gender stereotypes in Zambia, being the first and only coffee estate to employ women for traditionally male-dominated roles such as driving tractors, bull-dozers and road graders. Oh, and they also sponsor a football team, the Kateshi Coffee Bullets who compete in the Zambian 1st Division.

History of Coffee in Zambia

Coffee was first planted in Zambia in 1978 on what is now Ngoli Estate. Overseen by a very energetic, active and supportive ZCGA (Zambia Coffee Growers’ Association), there was a rapid expansion in planting in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s with national production reaching just short of 7,000mt.

Then the global coffee price crisis of 1998 to 2004 hit, and hard. Most of the estates required significant investment and infrastructure, including the installation of irrigation systems which could not be made. Low prices forced most estates to switch to other crops. However, since Covoya's parent company acquired the northern estates in 2012, significant investment has led to a rejuvenation of the Zambian coffee sector. The coffee estate company NCCL is now the largest coffee producer in the country and the largest single employer in Zambia.

Growing Coffee in Zambia

The Northern province has the best conditions for arabica coffee cultivation in Zambia with its relative proximity to the equator and abundant altitude (Mafinga Hills being the highest point in the country at 2,300 masl). Most coffee grows from 1300 - 2300 masl. Zambia produces both washed and naturally processed coffee and has introduced some honey processing. A wide range of varieties including Catimor 129, Castillo, Java, and other trial varieties. Specialty grades are AAA, AA, AB and Peaberry.