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.
12
Total articles
7
Topic categories
12+
min avg. read
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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 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 | 🚢 | 🚢 | 🍒 | 🍒 | 🍒 | |||||||
Sidama Sidama Region | 🚢 | 🚢 | 🍒 | 🍒 | 🍒 | |||||||
Guji Guji Zone | 🚢 | 🚢 | 🚢 | 🚢 | 🍒 | 🍒 | ||||||
Harrar East Hararghe | 🚢 | 🚢 | 🚢 | 🍒 | 🍒 | 🍒 | ||||||
Limu Jimma Zone | 🚢 | 🚢 | 🚢 | 🚢 | 🍒 | 🍒 | ||||||
Kaffa South West Ethiopia | 🚢 | 🚢 | 🚢 | 🚢 | 🍒 | 🍒 | 🍒 |
G1 Specialty Price Trend
G1 Yirgacheffe — FOB differential above NY C-Market
↑ 44¢ since Jun '25
Demo dataGrade 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
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