The 2026 season at HEQA is officially underway, with early harvest activity beginning throughout several partnered farmers across Bali. While still at the early stage, the momentum on the ground is building steadily, and early harvest are looking promising for the months to come. We are continuously monitoring and working together with our partnered farmers here in Bali, Kanggo and Wardika, to harvest high quality cherries this year and the yield is looking good already.
Harvest Progress & Market Conditions
Harvest has begun with early picking already since April. Initial reports suggest that cherry prices are trending high at the start of the season, reflecting strong demand and competitive market conditions. As cherries in early harvest are still developing, we are using this momentum intentionally to strengthen our operations and prepare everything we need before peak production arrives. Despite this, crop development appears stable, with yields progressing gradually and showing positive signs overall.
Our producing partners, including Kanggo and Wardika, have been actively sharing updates from the field. Cherry supply at this stage appears abundant for months to come, and fruit quality is aligning well with expectations for early harvest.
Operational Upgrades
To match the promise of this season, we've implemented several key upgrades in preparation, strengthening both quality control and data precision. A new color sorter dedicated to green coffee has been installed, allowing for more consistent defect separation and improved lot uniformity. Additionally, the hulling system has been fully replaced to ensure cleaner processing and reduced mechanical stress on the beans.
On the digital side, we've rolled out updates to our internal platform, specifically focused on fermentation tracking. This allows us to record and monitor fermentation variables with greater accuracy, enabling more consistent replication of desired profiles across lots and we've also installed IoT devices to track and monitor fermentation conditions in real time.
Team Expansion & Data Precision
Better systems need the right people behind them. To support these improvements, we are expanding our team on the ground, with additional members assigned specifically to oversee and record fermentation and drying data. The goal is simple, tighter control, better traceability, and deeper insight into how each variable impacts cup quality.
This hands-on approach ensures that every stage, from cherry harvesting to drying, is properly documented, giving us stronger foundations for both quality assurance and future experimentation.
Quality Indicators & Early Measurements
The early numbers are already telling a good story. Arabica cherries are averaging around 15° Brix at this stage, indicating good sugar development even at the beginning of the harvest window, providing a strong foundation for our processing and experiments.
Robusta production at Wardika has not yet begun and is expected to start towards the end of June. We will continue to monitor its development closely as the season progresses.
R&D and Processing Experiments
Running alongside harvest activities, we are actively conducting early-stage processing experiments. These trials serve two key purposes, validating existing protocols and developing new approaches for the 2026 season.
Early harvest lots are especially valuable for this phase, allowing us to refine fermentation techniques, test variables, and build a stronger framework before peak production begins. This R&D phase is critical in ensuring consistency once volumes increase and it reflects our commitment at HEQA to continuously innovate, stay curious, and produce exceptional and exciting lots for all of you.
Looking Ahead
As we move closer to peak harvest, operations will gradually transition into full production mode. The groundwork being laid now, through equipment upgrades, data tracking, and experimentation, will play a key role in maintaining quality and consistency at scale.
We’ll continue to share updates as the season progresses and we look forward to sharing these new harvest coffees with all of you, stay tuned!
