Burundi Businde Natural

Zuberi Matsitsi runs Matraco Coffee, a respected producer and exporter in Burundi with deep roots in the northern province of Kayanza. One of Matraco’s most impactful sites is the Businde washing station, located near the Rwandan border in Buyenzi. Here, the station processes cherry from around 1,200 local farming families each year, providing a dependable market and community support structure for smallholders in the area.

Businde isn’t just a processing site - it’s a major employer and a hub for local development. Seasonal staff at the station are paid nearly 60% more than the country’s average casual labour rate, and producers delivering cherry to Businde receive a premium 20% above the local market rate. The station also distributes composted coffee pulp back to farmers as fertiliser and donates seedlings to support higher yields in the future. The result is a model where quality, sustainability, and better incomes go hand in hand.

The station is managed by Floris Nahimana, supported by six permanent team members and up to 120 seasonal workers during peak harvest. Raw Material, who have operated their own export arm in Burundi since 2019, work closely with Zuberi and the team to ensure these coffees reach global markets - and that value returns to the community.