This just kind of fell into my lap amazingly enough but I've recently come by an opportunity to set up a direct trade with Rwandan coffee farmers. A gentleman who visited my cafe is moving from Rwanda to the United States and has approached me regarding this opportunity. He showed me pictures of him on the farms, brought quite a bit of green and roasted coffee with him, and has even offered to take me there to check out the farms. The coffee itself was great, tropical fruit notes and generally a very complex but flavorful cup; I think it has a lot more potential depending on what roast level complements the coffee best, but I didn't have anymore to test it out.
One question: where do I begin with this entire process?
We do roast some coffees here, but the size of our roaster is way too small to roast the quantity that he would be bringing over. I suppose I could sell the green beans, but then I really don't have any experience distributing green beans (I guess I can just learn as I go). I'm trying to figure out how to determine whether or not this is a great opportunity or otherwise a project that needs far more knowledge or experience than I currently possess. If there are ways, I would like to mitigate any risk and turn it into an opportunity. What should I look out for? How do I determine if this is someone I should go into business with, has anybody come across a similar situation, etc. etc.? I appreciate any advice or suggestions.
Scott
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