Kenya Ruera Estate PB

This coffee comes from Ruera Estate, a coffee plantation situated in Juja Sub County, Kiambu County.

Ruera Estate is located approximately 15 km from Ruiru town along Kiganjo road. It spans 190.31 hectares and is planted with Ruiru 11, SL 28, K7, and Batian varieties, thriving on red volcanic soils with a gently sloping landscape on low-lying hills. The cherries are grown at an elevation of 1577 metres above sea level.

The estate has provided employment opportunities for over 1,000 Kenyans in the rural area, throughout the entire coffee production process. The estate's natural lot was awarded 1st place in the Natural Coffees category at the Kenya National Taste of Harvest 2024–2025 competition.

The estate is managed by Coffee Management Services Ltd (CMS), a leading agribusiness service provider serving Kenya and the wider East African coffee sector. Since 2006, CMS has focused on providing agricultural and financial services while promoting sustainable coffee production across the region. CMS's agronomists visit the estate on a regular basis, of allowing for ongoing communication with producers, regular feedback on coffee quality, and continued investment in farm management and processing improvements.

Harvest & Post-Harvest

Workers manually pick the cherries and transport them to the wet mill for processing. The cherries undergo careful sorting and are pulped using Pinhalence and Mackinnon Pulper plants. Rewetting of dry coffee and over fermentation is avoided at all costs.

Drying aims to reduce the bean's moisture content for safe storage and improved quality. Well-dried beans are maintained at 10-11% moisture content and dried on outdoor drying beds utilising natural heat.

The region experiences two rainy seasons: March to May and October to December. Coffee irrigation occurs during the alternating dry seasons. Flowering takes place in March-April and September-October, with coffee harvested in May-June and November-December. Annual rainfall averages between 900-1350 mm, and the average temperature ranges from 13-26°C.

Impact

The farm provides employment for approximately 300 workers each day, with around 30% living on the estate. To support employees and their families, the farm offers a crèche for preschool-aged children, while a primary school located on the estate serves older children. A dispensary is also available on-site, providing access to basic healthcare services.

At Ruera Estate, the focus is on producing high-quality coffee while maintaining sustainable farming practices. To support this goal, the estate has implemented a range of environmental initiatives, including reforestation efforts, energy conservation measures, responsible waste management, and soil erosion control.