Coffee Production in Ethiopia: 10 Best Ethiopian Coffee Distributors/Companies

coffee production in ethiopia

Ethiopian Coffee Production

There is a lot more to Ethiopian coffee than the story of Kaldi the goat herder, who discovered coffee in the Kaffa region of Ethiopia.


coffee production in ethiopia kaldi goat herder


Ethiopia is one of the world's foremost leaders in coffee production and thanks to its perfect high-altitude climate and unique topography, Ethiopian coffee distributors and companies are experiencing unparalleled prestige and not to mention monetary clout.

Add to this the fact that the Ethiopia coffee market is expected to grow at an enviable pace: CAGR of 5.5% during the 2020 - 2025 periods.

Coffee production in Ethiopia for the period of 2018 - 2019 was 7.1 million/60 kg bags or 426,000 metric tons, making the country the largest coffee producer in Africa and the 5th largest coffee producer in the entire world.

One would have predicted that the COVID-19 epidemic would have slowed the sale of Ethiopian coffee, but to the contrary it has increased at alarming rates.


Related: 10 of the Best Construction Companies in Ethiopia 2024


Why is Ethiopian Coffee So Good


There are without a doubt, a lot more unique and different coffee flavor profiles to be found in Ethiopia than in any coffee producing country in the world.

Scientific botanical evidence proves that Arabica coffee originated in the south western part of Ethiopia, from which it would then spread to Yemen and the rest of the world.

Why is Ethiopian coffee so good, can be answered by the fact that Ethiopia is blessed with the best coffee production environment, through a combination of temperature, altitude, soil type, rainfall and its PH value.

Ethiopia produces a variety of unique Arabica coffees making it ideal for the highly lucrative and immensely profitable and growing specialty coffee market.

Ethiopian coffee production can be characterized by being hard-type coffee beans, with intense flavors and aromatics.

The fruity flavors are common in all regions, although specific fruit flavors vary from region to region, with the berry, chocolate and citrus aromatics being more common.

Due to Ethiopian coffee being so good, Ethiopians are among the largest coffee consumers in Africa; furthermore, coffee consumption in Ethiopia is growing with almost 50% of the country's coffee production being consumed locally.


Ethiopian Coffee Beans


Ethiopian coffee is mostly grown in the forest areas of the southwestern highlands of the Kaffa and Buno districts.

Estimates show that about 400,000 hectares are being used for coffee cultivation in Ethiopia.

It is also believed that 95% of Ethiopian coffee is produced in forest areas with most of the country's exports being in green coffee bean form.


Ethiopian Coffee Types


Ethiopian coffee, being the "mother bean" or the origin of all coffee beans is not its only distinctive feature; it is also home to hundreds, if not thousands of heirloom varietals.

In many instances, Ethiopian coffee farmers grow their own unique heirloom varietals, the majority of which do not grow anywhere else in the world and furthermore, most have not even been documented or classified.

Most small holder coffee farmers in Ethiopia tend to pool their coffee beans together at local milling stations, with each offering their unique specialty coffee. The wonderful result is a multifaceted and rich flavor profile.

For more details on Ethiopian coffee varieties, the following is an excellent resource in pdf format: Ethiopian Coffee Buying Manual - Practical Guidelines for Purchasing and Importing Ethiopian Specialty Coffee Beans by USAID.


Ethiopian Coffee Wholesale Companies


We have prepared the following list we believe to be ten of the top Ethiopian coffee distributors, companies, and/or farmers.

There are companies involved in the coffee production or market in Ethiopia that are of foreign origin.

Major coffee companies such as Starbucks, Cooper's Cask Coffee Company, Forest Coffee, Square One Coffee, among others, have not been included in this list, as we are focusing only on Ethiopian coffee companies.


1. Ambassa Enterprises


About Ambassa Enterprises


Since 1973, Ambassa Enterprises has put a strong emphasis on shipping only the best quality coffees to its ever growing clientele all over the world.

As of recently, Ambassa has grown to become one of Ethiopia's oldest and most trusted shippers of Ethiopian coffee Ethiopia's oldest and most trusted shippers of Ethiopian coffee to companies based in Asia, the Middle East, the US, Europe, Australia, just to name a few.

Their professional staff and leadership have ensured that Ambassa Enterprises continues to add value to its operations, guaranteeing its ongoing customer satisfaction as a successful coffee company in Ethiopia .


Contact

Office Address: Ambassa Enterprises Plc., Tanzania Rd., Bulgaria, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Telephone/Mobile: +251-114-655-314 / +251-114-164-983

Email: [email protected]

Official Website: https://ambassaenterprises.com/


2. Kerchanshe Trading


About Kerchanshe Coffee


Kerchanshe Trading is one of the largest producers and exporters of coffee in Ethiopia.

The company specializes in coffee from Sidamo, Gimbi, Djimma, Lekempti, and Yirgacheffe, targeting both international and local markets.

Kerchanshe Trading's permanent staff is over 1,250 with its seasonal staff reaching 10,000. With the lives of so many people affected, there is no doubt that Kerchanshe is a major player in the Ethiopian coffee production industry.

They also invest 10% of their annual profits back into the communities through programs aimed at building schools, providing clean water, etc.


Contact

Office Address: South Africa Street, Bisrate Gabriel, Bayne Building, Office # 702, P.O. Box 9891, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Telephone/Mobile: +251-11-3716370 / +251-962-414141

Email: [email protected]

Official Website: https://www.kerchanshe.com/


3. Tomoca Coffee


About Tomoca Coffee


Tomoca Coffee has a long history as it was formed in 1953 in Addis Ababa.

Their name, also spelled TO.MO.CA comes from the Italian word Torrefazione Moderna Cafe (modern coffee roasting).

The company is famous for their Italian style coffee, which uses Ethiopian coffee beans.

Tomoca has about 6 cafes throughout Addis Ababa, with another international branch in Tokyo, Japan.

They also export their coffee to countries such as the US, Japan, Germany, Sweden, etc.


Contact

Office Address: Wawel St., Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tel: +251 911221412 / +251 111111781 / +251 111112498 / +251 111111859 / +251 111559578

Fax: +251 111111859 / +251 111559578 / +251 111111781

E-mail: [email protected]

Official Website: http://www.tomocacoffee.com/

4. Shecha Coffee


About Shecha Coffee


Shecha Agro Industry Plc. is a family run, 240 hectare farm that works jointly with its Kaffa community members in the Ethiopian highlands since 2008.

The company's General Manager and co-Founder is Elsa Negash, a woman making a name for herself as one of Africa's leading female entrepreneurs.

Kaffa coffee is special in that it was where Kaldi, an Ethiopian goat herder first discovered how excited his goats became after eating beans from a coffee plant in the 9th century.

Kaffa is basically home to the original DNA of coffee and even the root of the word "coffee/Kaffa".

Shecha Coffee grows their 1st grade premium, single source and traceable beans in the pristine Shecha forest.

Visitors to Addis Ababa can also enjoy their specialty coffee in their traditionally designed Shecha Cafe in Piassa, the historic part of the city.

Shecha Coffee also produces "coffee honey" through their apiary which houses bees that feed on delicate white coffee blossoms to produce a uniquely delicious honey.


Contact

Farm Address: Shecha Coffee Estate, 14 kilometers from Bonga, Ethiopia

Cafe Address: Piassa, Saba Dereja, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tel: +251 911-203558 / +251 911-202249

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://shechacoffee.com


ethiopian coffee production wholesale distributors


5. Tarara Coffee


About Tarara Coffee


The Bagersh family, owners of Tarara Coffee have been farming and roasting Ethiopian coffee since the 1940's.

The skills have been handed down from generation to generation. The company today sells its products all over the world, as well as domestically.

Tarara Coffee has made significant inroads within the Ethiopian coffee industry and has also been featured on BBC, as one of Ethiopia's leading coffee exporters.

Using their specialty roaster in Addis Ababa, Tarara continues to satisfy its customers through the use of the best grade coffee beans.


Contact

Address: Jackross Street, adjacent to Meta Brewery Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tel: +251-118-693-433 / +251-118-693-434

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Official Website: https://tararacoffee.com/


6. Garden of Coffee


About Garden of Coffee


Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is the pioneer and creator of SoleRebels, which is a footwear and leather products brand that combines traditional Ethiopian craftsmanship and materials with modern designs.

After more than a decade building SoleRebels into an internationally recognized brand, Bethlehem Alemu has turned to her birthplace of Ethiopia to enter into the specialty coffee market.

Garden of Coffee claims to be the total opposite of normal factory roasting.

They source the finest beans from across Ethiopia , at which point these are then re-selected by a team of the world's best artisan hand roasters.

The coffee is then prepared and roasted per individual order on clay roasters inside their roasting facility located in Addis Ababa.

Garden Of Coffee promises you will experience the rarest, freshest and highest quality single origin Ethiopian coffees, as Ethiopia is home to literally thousands of yet undiscovered varietals.

Among their offers is the unique hand roasted coffee which is an Ethiopian tradition that involves multiple skills and elements that produce a great roast.

Another stand out feature on offer is their on-demand hand roasting model, which basically means Garden of Coffee's experts roast their coffee only for each specific order (personalized roasting).

You can experience this in their cafes located in Ethiopia, as well as, to be opened in major cities around the world. For those wanting to enjoy the coffee at home, Garden of Coffee can also pack and ship it.

They are also adamant adherents to OriginTRADE, which means they source, process, roast, and package their coffees in Ethiopia where it is grown.

This guarantees the best coffees, but also low impact for the environment and an engine for prosperity and change for the growers, processors and roasters of these coffees.


Contact

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

* Cafe-Roastery #1: Sar Bet, JFK Building

* Cafe-Roastery #2: Tele Bole, Grace Plaza

* Cafe-Roastery #3: Kazanchis, Bloom Tower

Official Website: https://gardenofcoffee.com/


7. Moyee Coffee


About Moyee Coffee


Ahadu Woubshet is the Founder and General Manger of Moyee Coffee Ethiopia, alongside, Van Staveren van Dijk, Founder and General Manager of Moyee Coffee Netherlands, two companies that claim to be the first Ethio-Dutch FairChain coffee farming and roasting company.

Moyee Coffee utilizes premium quality beans, which are roasted to by their world class roasting technology, setup in their roasting and packaging facility.

Moyee Coffee is intent on becoming the leading internet based coffee retailers, through their partnership with companies in the Netherlands.

They offer private cupping and tasting sessions, and welcome those interested to try.


Contact

Office Address: Bole Sub City, Located around Gerji Mebrat Hayel, infront of AllMartHouse, # 315/47, P.O.Box 17788, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Tel: +251-118-593-099 \ +251-118-593-100

E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]

Official Website: https://moyeeethiopia.com


8. Galani Coffee


About Galani Coffee


Established in 1940, Galani Coffee has had a long history within the Ethiopian coffee market.

Galani took its name from the river Gelan, which flows down the Bale Mountains, to Arba Minch, while passing through a plethora of coffee growing areas.

Aside from selling their roasted coffee products, Galani also has a cafe within their compounds that has been lauded for its design and authenticity.

Furthermore, Galani differs from the other coffee companies in that they offer something unique to Ethiopians.

They provide trainings for aficionados and professionals in Ethiopian coffee brewing methods, skills for a barista, skills for roasting, as well as, tasting events.

For those hoping to take it a step further, Galani offers small courses, as well as, SCAE (Specialty Coffee Association of Europe) certified courses.


Contact

Office Address: Behind Jackross Villas, on an unpaved road that hosts warehouses, next to Robera Cafe and Guna Trading, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Opening Days: From Tuesday till Sunday

Opening Hours: From 8:00 AM till 8:00 PM

Official Website: http://www.galanicoffee.com


9. Abyssinia Coffee


About Abyssinia Coffee


Great Abyssinia Plc. began its corporation in the early 1990's as a coffee roasting, grounding and packing company.

Today it has expanded into real estate (Noah Real Estate), spring water (Abyssinia Spring Water), tea (Abyssinia Tea) and of course coffee (Abyssinia Coffee).

Their roasting facility has a large 40,000 sq. ft. area with two types of roasting systems, namely, replication (profile roasting) and batch size flexibility, both freshly batch roasted on a "roast to order" basis, similar to Garden of Coffee.

Abyssinia Coffee can also handle small or large quantities, drum roasting, high yield roasting or even micro roasting of specialty lots.


Contact

Office Address: Cameron Street, infront of Bole Medhanealem Church, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Phone: +251-118-605-266

Fax: +251-116-630-157

Email: [email protected]

Official Website: http://www.coffeeabyssinia.com


10. Fili Coffee


About Fili Coffee


Fili Coffee is a specialty coffee roaster based in Addis Ababa.

The company is made up of seasoned professionals with varied experience in the coffee industry.

Fili Coffee produces a variety of specialty grade coffees sourced from all over Ethiopia, in different packaging sizes.

Through the use of their professional roast master, they have been able to expand rapidly by supplying coffee shops, bistros, restaurants, and more.


Contact

Office Address: Lafto, around 2000 Building , Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Phone: +251-911-029-370

Email: [email protected]

Official Website: http://filicoffee.com/


Honorable Mention


11. Probex


About Probex Ethiopia


Probex has been wholeheartedly dedicated to probing and exploring new machineries and technological advancements for the betterment of Ethiopian coffee machines market.

With over 20 years of loyal service to their esteemed clients and business partners, they are on their way to many more years of growth and development.

Probex Plc. began operations in 2001, with a focus on importing various coffee machines, espresso machines and equipment targeting the coffee and food industry in Ethiopia.

They enjoy successful partnerships with top notch companies from all over the world, some of them include, Probat (German), Ditting (Swiss), Bunn (US), Satake (Japanese), as well as sole agent status for Pinhalense (Brazilian), and Rancilio (Italian).

Their top notch clients include the likes of Kaldis Coffee, US Embassy in Addis, Sheraton Addis, British Embassy Addis, Mamokacha, Haile Resorts, among many other companies that require coffee machine in Ethiopia.


Office Address: Bole Airport Road, Next to Ethiopian Airlines, Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Phone: +251 11 662 4648 / +251 976 707 070

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Official Website: https://probexethiopia.com/

12. Ethiopia Uraga Coffee


About Ethiopia Uraga Coffee


Uraga Smallholder Farmers is made up of about 7,000 members, with each farmer using a plot with an average size of three hectares.

Uraga is a part of the Guji zone in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. It is borderd by Odo Shakiso, Borena Zone and Bore.

Ethiopia Uraga Coffee is known for being a high quality heirloom Ethiopian coffee, that's filled with flavor, perfectly layered, and complex.

The flavor notes include citrus and floral notes: lemon, Earl Grey, red grape and peach are all prominent, with bergamot and florals on the Ethiopia Uraga Coffee's finish.

It is no wonder that Uraga's coffee demands a higher price in the international specialty coffee markets.


Contact

Address: Guji, Uraga Process Station, Ethiopia