Lukululu Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Society (AMCOS)

Founded in 2018, the Lukululu AMCOS brings together 296 smallholder coffee producers from five villages in Tanzania’s Mbozi District—Lukululu, Ndolezi, Nambala, Mlangali, and Masangula.These farmers, cultivating plots typically under 2 ha on volcanic, clay-loam soils at 1,500–1,700 m elevation, grow primarily Bourbon-derived varieties (notably N39 and KT423).

Initially focused on home-processing techniques, Lukululu AMCOS built a washed-processing mill in 2022, equipped with a hand-crank depulper, fermentation channels, and raised drying tables. They grade cherries through flotation methods and depulp using traditional mechanical pulpers. Beans are fermented for 1–2 days, washed, and dried slowly over two weeks on raised beds, ensuring consistent moisture levels. This step-by-step process reflects both hands-on expertise and quality control principles aimed at producing clean, bright coffee.

As of the latest information, the cooperative is refining its infrastructure: plans are underway to add an ecopulper and expand drying capacity with additional tables. This strategic investment marks Lukululu's transition from grassroots operation to specialty-grade producer.

Lukululu coffees are medium-bodied, balanced, and clean, with washed-style clarity. Flavor notes commonly reported across international roasters include apricot, green tea, creamy mouthfeel; cherry cola, tangerine, kumquat; dried cranberry, citrus, and herbal character. Peaberry lots are especially prized for their syrupy sweetness, bright acidity, and layered fruit—capturing notes of lemon glaze, fruit tea, orange, lime, baking spice, and subtle herbal undertones.

Lukululu AMCOS exemplifies the modern Mbozi-region cooperative: small-scale yet quality-focused and rooted in community empowerment. Its evolution—from home-processing to a centralized mill—is reflected in improved traceability and steadily elevated cup scores. As it invests in equipment upgrades and drying capacity, the cooperative is positioned to further enhance production volume and attract more direct-trade partnerships.

Lukululu AMCOS stands at the forefront of Tanzania’s specialty coffee movement. Anchored in community support and agro-climatic advantage, it is rapidly raising standards and cementing its reputation among discerning global coffee buyers.