Chania Estate

The Harries family has been living in Kenya, in the town of Thika (Central Province), since 1904. It owns two plantations there: Chania and Oreti. These two farms are the last remaining medium-sized farms in Kenya and are currently owned by Boyce Harries, who belongs to the family’s 5th generation of coffee producers.





The Harries family grows varieties that are quite unusual for Kenya, including SL14 and Red Bourbon. It is the last to still produce the SL14 variety, which was the first SL14 to be cultivated in Kenya. SL14 is particularly weak, so it has been gradually replaced in Kenya with the SL28 and SL34 varieties, which are more climate hardy and produce higher yields.





Belco first got to know the Harries family a few years ago. They were so well-organised and knowledgeable of the industry that we were able to begin working together in 2017, buying coffee from them directly for the very first time. Which is a great advantage, because there are usually up to 7 intermediaries separating a producer from the final buyer!