For roasters, importers, and traders.
Long-form, working-knowledge articles on every part of buying Ethiopian green coffee. Written for the trade, by the trade.
14
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7
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13+
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How to Source Ethiopian Coffee Directly in 2026
From finding the right exporter to landing your first container at port — what direct sourcing actually looks like in 2026.
12 min readChecklists, guides & reference sheets
Practical printable resources — from buyer checklists to the full sourcing handbook.
Understanding Ethiopian Coffee Grading: G1, G2, G3
Grade 1 doesn't always mean 'better' — it means fewer defects. Here's what each grade tells you, and what it doesn't.
Read moreWashed vs Natural Process: What It Means for Your Roast
The single biggest variable in an Ethiopian coffee isn't the region — it's whether the cherry was sun-dried or washed.
Read moreCertifications Explained: EUP, Rainforest, Fair Trade, Organic
Certifications are not interchangeable. Here's what each one means in the Ethiopian context.
Read moreThe Ethiopian Coffee Harvest Calendar: Month by Month
Timing is everything in direct trade. Miss the harvest window and you're buying old crop. Here's the full Ethiopian harvest timeline.
Read moreYirgacheffe: Why the World's Most Famous Coffee Town Earns Its Reputation
Yirgacheffe has been producing elite coffee for over a century. Here's the science and history behind the world's most recognisable African origin.
Read moreThe Honey Process: Ethiopia's Third Way
Honey process coffees are the most nuanced of the three — and some of the most complex Ethiopian lots are processed this way.
Read moreFOB Contracts and Shipping Ethiopian Coffee: A Practical Primer
Most direct-trade coffee is sold FOB Djibouti. Understanding exactly what that means — and what it doesn't — will save you money and frustration.
Read moreGuji vs Sidama vs Yirgacheffe: How to Choose for Your Menu
All three are widely available, broadly similar in price, and regularly score above 85. So why do they taste so different — and which belongs on your menu?
Read moreThe Ethiopian Commodity Exchange: How Coffee Actually Gets Traded
Every bag of Ethiopian coffee passes through a formal system most buyers don't know exists. Understanding it explains pricing, traceability, and what 'direct trade' really means here.
Read moreThe Complete Guide to Natural Process Ethiopian Coffee
Natural process is Ethiopia's oldest and most controversial method. When it works, nothing else in specialty coffee compares. When it doesn't, you're stuck with a container of over-fermented disaster.
Read moreThe Complete Guide to Washed Process Ethiopian Coffee
Washed process is responsible for nearly all of Ethiopia's most celebrated specialty lots. Understanding it explains why Yirgacheffe tastes the way it does — and how to find the best versions.
Read moreHarrar Coffee: Ethiopia's Wild East and Its Ancient Natural Process
Harrar sits apart from Ethiopia's southern coffee regions in every way: geography, climate, process, and cup. Understanding it changes how you think about natural-process coffee.
Read moreLive Harvest Calendar
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yirgacheffe Gedeo Zone | E | E | C | C | C | |||||||
Sidama Sidama Region | E | E | C | C | C | |||||||
Guji Guji Zone | E | E | E | E | C | C | ||||||
Harrar East Hararghe | E | E | E | C | C | C | ||||||
Limu Jimma Zone | E | E | E | E | C | C | ||||||
Kaffa South West Ethiopia | E | E | E | E | C | C | C |
G1 Specialty Price Trend
G1 Yirgacheffe — FOB differential above ICE NY C-Market
↑ 63¢ since Jun '24
ICO · ECTASource: ICO Monthly Coffee Market Report; Ethiopian Coffee & Tea Authority (ECTA) published differentials. Data: Jun 2024–May 2025.
Grade Reference
| Grade | Max Defects | Cup Score | FOB Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | 0 | 85+ | +120–200¢ |
| G2 | 1–3 | 82–85 | +80–140¢ |
| G3 | 4–12 | 80–82 | +40–80¢ |
| G4 | 13–25 | 78–80 | +20–40¢ |
| G5 | 26–50 | < 78 | ±0¢ |
Above NY C-Market · FOB Djibouti · ICO/ECTA
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