In this episode, we explore Ethiopia’s vital role in the global coffee industry — from its historical roots to its modern-day reputation for world-class Arabica. Join us as we break down the numbers, compare global rankings, and unpack what makes Ethiopian coffee so special.

Key Highlights:

• Origin of Arabica: Ethiopia is widely recognized as the birthplace of Coffea arabica.
• Global Ranking:
  • Largest coffee producer in Africa
  • 5th-largest globally in 2023
  • 2023/24 production: 8.35 million 60-kg bags (~501,000 metric tons)
• Comparison with Top Producers:
  • Brazil: 3.4M tons, highly mechanized, 30% of global supply
  • Vietnam: 2.0M tons, mostly Robusta
  • Colombia: 680K tons, premium Arabica from supported smallholders
  • Indonesia: 760K tons, Arabica + Robusta blend
• Arabica Focus:
  • Nearly 100% of Ethiopia’s output is Arabica
  • Among the top 3 Arabica producers globally
• Yields & Productivity:
  • Yields remain low: ~800 kg/ha
  • Lag behind Brazil (1,500–2,400), Vietnam (2,200–2,500), Colombia (1,000–1,200)
  • Constraints include old trees, low input use, disease, and fragmented land
• Growth Trends:
  • Steady 3–4% annual growth (2015–2025)
  • Driven by area expansion, not yield gains
  • World coffee share rose to ~5% by 2023
• Reputation & Quality:
  • Internationally praised for unique cup profiles and flavor diversity
  • Specialty Grade 1 and 2 beans command premium prices
  • Strong position in specialty coffee markets
• Farming Practices:
  • ~95% of production from smallholder farmers
  • Traditional, organic agroforestry systems under shade trees
  • High quality, but low mechanization and economic vulnerability
• Key Challenge: