Coffee is an important crop in Ethiopia, with a long history of cultivation dating back to the 9th century.
The country is one of the world’s largest coffee producers and exporters, and coffee is a major source of income for many Ethiopian farmers.
Ethiopia is home to a wide variety of coffee varieties, including Arabica and Robusta.
Arabica is the most widely grown type of coffee in Ethiopia, and is known for its high quality and complex flavors.
Some of the most popular varieties of Arabica found in Ethiopia include Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, Harar, and Limu.
Robusta, is also grown in some parts of Ethiopia, but it is mostly grown in the lowland areas.
Robusta is known for its strong and bitter flavor, and is commonly used in blends to add body and a higher caffeine content.
Ethiopia is also known for its heirloom varieties of Arabica which are grown by farmers who passed down their knowledge and methods to generations.
These varieties are considered special and unique due to the methods and place they grow and also the method of processing.
Ethiopia’s coffee industry is an important contributor to the country’s economy, with coffee exports generating billions of dollars in revenue each year.
According to the International Coffee Organization, Ethiopia’s coffee export revenue was over $1 billion in the 2019/2020 fiscal year.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the industry in the following years and many farmers have faced challenges such as lack of market and low prices.
The Ethiopia Coffee and Tea Development and Marketing Authority is responsible for promoting and supporting the country’s coffee industry.
The authority works to improve the quality of Ethiopian coffee and increase the international demand for it, as well as to promote sustainable coffee farming practices.
In conclusion, Ethiopia is a major coffee producer and exporter, with a rich variety of coffee varieties grown, particularly Arabica.
While the country’s coffee industry generates significant revenue each year, it faces challenges such as price volatility and the impacts of climate change.
Despite these challenges, Ethiopia’s coffee industry continues to be an important source of income for farmers and a key part of the country’s economy.
