The Rise of Catherine Bashiama and the Promising Future of Excelsa Coffee
Catherine Bashiama gently runs her fingers over the branches of her coffee tree, her eyes filled with anticipation. She planted this tree three years ago as a seedling, and now, for the first time, she notices the small, red coffee cherries beginning to form. This moment is not just a milestone for her tree—it’s a beacon of hope for her family’s future. Bashiama, a mother of 12, has never grown coffee before, but she sees this climate-resilient coffee species as a chance to lift her family out of poverty. “I want to send my children to school so they can be the future generation,” she says with determination.
The Global Coffee Crisis and the Discovery of Excelsa
The world is facing a severe coffee crisis, driven primarily by climate change. Extreme weather conditions, such as droughts and fluctuating temperatures, are devastating coffee crops, particularly in leading coffee-producing countries like Brazil. This year, Brazil’s coffee harvest is expected to drop by 12%, pushing global coffee prices to their highest levels in decades. Amid this crisis, a rare coffee species called excelsa is gaining attention. Native to South Sudan and a few other African countries, including Uganda, Congo, and the Central African Republic, excelsa is also cultivated in India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
South Sudan’s Untapped Coffee Potential
South Sudan, despite its oil wealth, has never been recognized as a major coffee producer. Its colonial history saw some coffee farming, but decades of civil war disrupted agriculture, and coffee production nearly disappeared. Today, the younger generation in Nzara County, a region known as the country’s “breadbasket,” has little experience with coffee farming. However, the excelsa tree, often referred to as “the big tree” due to its towering height of up to 15 meters, has long been present in the area. It wasn’t until recently that its unique qualities and potential were recognized.
What Makes Excelsa Unique and Resilient
The excelsa coffee tree is scientifically remarkable. Its deep roots, thick leathery leaves, and robust trunk allow it to thrive in extreme conditions, such as drought and heat, where other coffee species struggle to survive. It is also resistant to many pests and diseases that plague coffee crops. The flavor of excelsa coffee is sweet and rich, with notes of chocolate, dark fruits, and hazelnut, making it comparable to arabica but less bitter. While excelsa accounts for less than 1% of the global coffee market, experts believe it could play a crucial role in addressing the climate crisis facing coffee production.
Local Challenges and the Road to Revival
Despite its promise, reviving coffee production in South Sudan comes with significant challenges. Farmers like Catherine Bashiama face struggles such as limited resources, lack of infrastructure, and ongoing insecurity. A Peace deal in 2018 ended a five-year civil war, but pockets of violence persist, creating uncertainty for farmers and investors alike. Additionally, the lack of infrastructure makes transporting coffee to global markets costly and difficult. For example, a truck carrying coffee must travel over 1,800 miles to reach the nearest port in Kenya, with the initial leg of the journey costing over $7,500—five times more than in neighboring countries.
The Potential of Excelsa to Transform Lives and Economies
For many farmers in South Sudan, excelsa coffee represents a chance at financial independence and a better future. Catherine Bashiama started planting coffee after her husband was injured, leaving her unable to grow enough food for their family. Now, she hopes her coffee earnings will allow her to send her children to school. Similarly, Taban John, another farmer, dreams of using his coffee income to buy a bicycle so he can sell his other crops and afford school uniforms for his children.
The road ahead is not easy, but there is hope. Companies like Equatoria Teak, which has been working with farmers to revitalize coffee production, believe excelsa could inject up to $2 million into South Sudan’s economy by 2027. If production scales up and stability is achieved, the impact could be transformative—not just for farmers but for the entire nation. As Elia Box, a farmer who lost part of his crop to fires, describes, “Coffee needs peace.” For now, the resilience of farmers like Catherine Bashiama and the promise of excelsa coffee offer a glimmer of hope in a region that has endured so much.
