Direct Trade

When we started our store, the thing we wanted most was to do direct trade. Most coffee beans are purchased through trading companies, but this method involves an importer and a local coordinator, allowing us to get closer to the farmers than if we went through a traditional trading company.

The fewer the middlemen, the more money goes to the farmers, so the local area benefits. Traceability is established, and since the imports from Japan are handled by the importers, there are no problems with testing for residual pesticides.

However, direct trade handles a very limited amount of beans. Some beans are less than one ton in total. They have to compete with roasters all over Japan (and sometimes even Asia) for these beans, so some beans sell out in an instant. Because they cannot secure a large amount of beans, it is difficult to use them for original blends that require a consistent taste, and as a result, they are treated as seasonal beans.

Furthermore, the minimum order unit is 60-70kg, which costs around 100,000 yen, making it difficult for small roasters to get their hands on it. Direct trade with overseas wholesalers is around 300kg per order, so this is still quite affordable.

Well, we have decided to start selling these direct trade beans in our store. The first shipment will be from Kenya. It is expected to arrive around June, but it may be July. We are planning to stock several more types of direct trade beans.

Please look forward to this direct trade experience, which is packed with the producers' passion.