Shoebill Coffee

More About Shoebill Coffee

<div class="wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-constrained"><p>The name Shoebill was publicly introduced in 2025 for the sale of roasted Ndugu coffee in the Netherlands. The first deliveries were then scheduled for mid-December. The Dutch office is located at Kroonslag 9 in Houten. In addition, Ndugu has an office in the Circular Design Hub in Kampala. Both locations are listed as offices, not as cafés or shops.</p></div>

<h3>Organization and trading model</h3>
<div class="wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-constrained"><p>Ndugu aims to develop a chain in which coffee farmers and cooperatives retain a central role. The model includes agriculture, processing, logistics, financing, and access to sales markets. Activities focus primarily on cooperatives in the Masaka region. Ndugu works directly with cooperatives but also has a documented collaboration with SUCAFINA and UGACOF.</p></div>

<div class="wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-constrained"><p>There are various public figures regarding the size of the network. The current website mentions over 30,000 small farmers, 12,432 digital farmer profiles, 32 cooperatives, and 5,000 tons of collected volume. An older company page mentions more than 6,000 farmers and 23 cooperatives. Fairfood wrote in February 2026 about over 10,000 farmers and 32 cooperatives. The sources do not use a common reference date or equal scope.</p></div>

<h3>Assortment and branding</h3>
<div class="wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-constrained"><p>The webshop features five listings: beans and ground coffee in 250 and 500-gram packages, plus a monthly subscription. The coffee is a blend of Arabica and Robusta from Uganda. According to the introduction, the Arabica comes from higher-altitude regions. The Robusta is sourced from the Masaka region.</p></div>

<div class="wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-constrained"><p>Customers can choose between a medium and a dark roast. The beans are offered for espresso and fully automatic machines. The ground variant is listed for filter coffee and the moka pot. The webshop does not feature any separate single-origin coffee or seasonal microlots. Additionally, blend ratios, botanical varieties, processing methods, harvest years, and cupping scores are not publicly documented.</p></div>

<h3>Roasting and distribution</h3>
<div class="wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-constrained"><p>Shoebill describes its production as small batch. According to the product information, roasting takes place once a week. Orders are shipped on that same roasting day. The manufacturer and model of the roaster are not disclosed. Neither capacity, software used, roast profiles, nor the exact production location are publicly documented.</p></div>

<div class="wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-constrained"><p>A statement from the brand indicates that the roaster runs on biomass from wood residues, rather than gas. No independent measurement or verification is described for this claim. Sales are conducted through the brand&#8217;s own webshop and subscription service. No fixed pickup location, dealer list, supermarket partner, or public wholesale model for Shoebill is mentioned.</p></div>

<h3>Origin and cooperation with cooperatives</h3>
<div class="wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-constrained"><p>The mentioned relationships include the Kalisizo and Kabonera cooperatives in Masaka. Ndugu and the Dutch coffee roaster Wakuli launched a Robusta quality development program in 2024. This involved evaluating more than fifty samples from individual farmers during three cupping sessions. Wakuli purchases coffee through Ndugu, but according to available information, does not sell coffee under the Shoebill brand.</p></div>

<div class="wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-constrained"><p>The specific farms and lots within each Shoebill production batch are not published. As a result, the origin is described at the regional and cooperative level, but not per retail package. Ndugu also operates as a supplier of green coffee to European importers and roasters. This business activity is separate from the sale of Shoebill packages to consumers.</p></div>

<h3>Sustainability and data collection</h3>
<div class="wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-constrained"><p>Ndugu reports traceability data for 6,393 farmers and geolocations for 9,220 agricultural plots. The company also mentions certification or audit work with 4,413 farmers, citing the Rainforest Alliance agricultural standard as the framework. The retail packages are described as compostable on the product pages. However, no current certificate number for these packages has been published.</p></div>

<div class="wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-constrained"><p>A project by the Coffee Innovation Fund reached more than 4,800 farmers in 2022 and 2023. The project focused on agroforestry and crop diversification. The fund contribution was 50,000 euros, within a total project volume of 100,000 euros. In 2025, Ndugu participated in the Climate Heroes pilot by Fairfood, where farmer and batch data were used for claims regarding deforestation and emissions.</p></div>

<h3>Team, research, and public activities</h3>
<div class="wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-constrained"><p>Bless Agume is Director of Production. Martijn Harlaar is Director of Investors and Partnerships. Henk-Jan Ebbers leads market development in the Netherlands. Kimera Joel is Director of Finance, and Henrik Looij is Impact Manager. A head roaster or quality manager specifically linked to Shoebill is not publicly listed.</p></div>

<div class="wp-block-group has-global-padding is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-constrained"><p>Ndugu participated in World of Coffee Brussels from June 25 to 27, 2026. The company is also involved in programs for agricultural financing, climate-smart coffee cultivation, and healthcare access for farming families. Awards or competition results for Shoebill or Ndugu are not documented. Additionally, a public tasting room, regular tastings, and opening hours for consumers are absent from the available information.</p></div>

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