The Beast From The East – Timor Leste

Cristo Liurai Cooperative

The statue of Cristo Liurai (Christ the King) dominates Letefoho, keeping a watchful gaze over the region’s coffee forests and mountain communities. Located in the western part of the sub-district, it is here that you will find the 18 members of the Cristo Liurai group, all of whom live around the southern perimeter of the steep Cristo Liurai mountain. Karst first entered into partnership with this group in 2020 and 6 years on, continues to work collaboratively with this community of smallholder farmers led by lead farmer Luis Santos de Jesus.

2025 saw a further increase in purchase price from 2024’s $3.50/kg to $4.00/kg and as a result, each of the Cristo Liurai members have experienced an increase in return from their coffee. This was particularly evident as this year’s harvest unexpectedly produced considerably higher yields, however this was largely due to favourable weather conditions rather than the result of widespread rehabilitation work. This highlights the need for further coffee tree rehabilitation activities to be carried out in order to ensure that yields such as this, become part of the norm and not an anomaly. Encouraging Luis and his members to implement this will be one of Karst’s priorities for 2026.