Snapshots September 2026

London Legal's team bonding 

The Legal team in London recently took part in a fantastic team challenge day at Spitalfields City Farm!

"It was a great opportunity for us to give back to the local community, work together as a team, and enjoy an afternoon outdoors. During the day, we supported the farm with a range of activities, including gardening, DIY, farmyard tasks and, of course, some animal interaction." - Barbara Caetano, ECOM Paralegal & Brazilian Legal Counsel

Timely rainfall strengthens coffee crop outlook in Nicaragua

Field update from Wilver Betanco

Despite early concerns that the El Niño climate phenomenon would bring significantly reduced rainfall to Nicaragua's coffee-growing regions, weather conditions have been more favorable than anticipated. The timely arrival of rain has created positive conditions for crop development and supports expectations for a healthy harvest.

According to Wilver Betanco, rainfall is one of the most critical factors influencing coffee production in Nicaragua, where cultivation depends almost entirely on natural precipitation. Consistent rainfall provides the moisture required for coffee cherries to develop properly, allowing the fruit to complete its maturation cycle, increase bean weight, and contribute to stronger yields.

Beyond supporting plant growth, adequate soil moisture is also essential for the effective application of fertilizers and other crop inputs, helping producers maintain healthy, productive farms throughout the season. Even periods of light rainfall and gentle breezes play an important role in sustaining favorable growing conditions.

The current season is particularly noteworthy given the widespread expectation that El Niño would lead to prolonged dry conditions across the region. Instead, rainfall has remained sufficient, providing welcome relief to producers and reinforcing optimism as the crop continues to develop.

As Wilver reflects, "Finding a great coffee is like finding a great friend: once you find one, you'll never want to let it go." It is a reminder that exceptional coffee begins with the right conditions in the field and the dedication of the people who cultivate it. This season's favorable weather represents an encouraging step toward another successful harvest in Nicaragua.

Meet Muhammed: Assistant Plant Officer in Nigeria

Muhammad Aliyu, Assistant Plant Officer in Nigeria, joint ECOM in October 2006. For 2 decades, his role has evolved across multiple states in Nigeria: from a Utility Officer in Lagos, to a Field Officer and Warehouse Manager pioneering cotton and sesame operations.

Today, he leverages this diverse field experience to manage technical plant operations and warehouse efficiency. In his current role at our Kano Dawanau Market facility, he oversees daily plant operations, manages commodity processing workflows, and supervises machinery logistics to maintain high production and quality standards.

“I deeply enjoy the continuous opportunity to solve technical challenges and adapt to new operational environments. Working with a dedicated team to drive agricultural and processing success across Nigeria makes my long journey here incredibly rewarding.”