Ethiopia Harvest 2024 - 2025
everything you need to know

Great coffee is coming our way

 

The transition from the rainy to dry season in late September marked the beginning of Ethiopia’s coffee harvest season. Early and heavy rainfall signaled a promising outlook. By December, our Addis Ababa team had started cupping the first farm gate samples, and now our offices in Amsterdam and Minneapolis are receiving stocklot samples. In this article, we examine this year’s coffee harvest from all relevant angles. After extensive field trips and constant communication with suppliers, we are confident to now share harvest insights on quality, shipment forecasts, price trends, and Trabocca’s initiatives for the new crop season.

 

Women preparing coffee seedling at a plant nursery in Ethiopia, Sidama, Bensa.
Women preparing seedling at a plant nursery in Ethiopia, Sidama, Bensa.

Promising yields

Beneficial climatic conditions, particularly heavy rains, resulted in strong flowering and a high yield forecast. During our field trips, producers and export managers stated production increases of 25–50%. While these estimates may lean toward optimism, the outlook for the new crop remains undeniably positive. This puts Ethiopian coffee in an excellent position, especially given the production bottleneck of global top producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam. Accordingly, the ECX has set an ambitious export goal of $2 billion, a significant increase from last year’s $1.4 billion.

Early shipments anticipated

Thanks to the early flowering, first coffees of the new season arrived in Addis Ababa earlier than expected. However, the situation requires ongoing monitoring due to continued volatility in the Red Sea region. Although some ships are navigating through the Suez Canal again, others are still opting for the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope, which prolongs delivery times. With strikes underway at Port Rotterdam and the looming possibility of port strikes along the US eastern seaboard, logistical challenges may grow. However, we remain optimistic as first containers of new crop already departed for the port of Djibouti.

Historic High Market Prices

Driven by supply concerns and the upcoming EUDR implementation, global coffee prices have surged to record-breaking levels. Prices peaked at $3.50 per pound—more than a 50% increase compared to last year and over 100% higher than five years ago. In response, the National Bank of Ethiopia has steadily raised its minimum export prices to match these fluctations.

Wet Mill Traceability Project

During extensive field trips across Ethiopia from September to December, Trabocca conducted its annual supplier reviews, a wet mill traceability project, and connected various roasters directly with their partnered producers. While the supplier reviews focused on administrative tasks in Addis Ababa, the wet mill traceability project brought us closer to the roots of our supply chains. By implementing updated traceability protocols at washing stations and gaining insights into regional challenges, we not only obtained a detailed forecast for the harvest but also gained understanding on how to support producers with prefinancing and administrative help to ensure smooth supplies. strengthened our close relationships with suppliers. Additionally, Trabocca is working on initiatives to expose more smallholder producers who hold their own export licenses—one of the most effective ways to create more impact at the start of the supply chain.

Dry Mills Standard Rise

Ethiopian dry milling has made significant strides in recent years with new facilities being built in Addis Ababa. Conveniently located in the southernmost Akaki Kilaty district bordering Oromia, these benefit from proximity to producing regions and improved infrastructure by avoiding the city’s busy traffic. Exporters are also moving their offices and quality labs to these processing plants, reflecting a growing demand of integrating administrative and operational functions. Modern machinery now eliminates labor-intensive handpicking, relying instead on multiple machine runs. Conveyor belts and other upgrades have enhanced working conditions by reducing the physical strain of moving heavy coffee bags.

New warehouse and processing plant in Akaki Kilaty, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
New warehouse and processing plant in Akaki Kilaty, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Foot on the ground

Our Addis Ababa office is home to a dedicated team of nine experienced professionals, specializing in roles such as quality inspection, sampling, logistics, and administration. Representing diverse backgrounds across Ethiopia, the team reflects the broad diversity of Ethiopian culture and provide extensive expertise in the coffee sector. This enables us to seamlessly integrate into supply chains, guiding the journey of coffee right from its seeds. By conducting meticulous sample drawing and swift, professional cupping evaluations, we gain early access to the finest lots. Due to long-lasting relationships with suppliers, we are able to offer outstanding prices for quality traceable coffee.

 

Political and regional considerations

On the political front, the Ethiopia-Somalia dispute has eased, with diplomats confirming improved relations. While most coffee-producing regions are politically stable, Guji remains unpredictable. Reports of militia activity in Oromia highlight ongoing tensions. These incidents, however, rarely disrupt coffee production in Guji. Close monitoring of the situation remains essential as conditions can change rapidly. The greater regional challenge lies in mobilizing workers, as competition with nearby mining operations increases. 

Why you should pre-book your Ethiopian coffees now

 

On our MyTrabocca spot list you will only find a fraction of the Ethiopian coffees you can buy and roast. Most of the coffees we are trading directly with roasters and green buyers. While first stock lot samples (coffees that are processed and available in the warehouse) become available, you will have the best access to all coffees Ethiopia has to offer. Whereas importer spot lists only represent a small curation of the country’s offerings and often with limited availability. Each year, some of the best lots of various locations are gone before they ever reach these lists. This is your opportunity to find a unique supply chain that is tailored to your exact needs.

Breakdown Ethiopia Harvest

  • Favorable early and heavy rainfall boost production yield and quality
  • Stocklot samples arrive in Amsterdam and Minneapolis offices
  • First container depart to Djibouti, early Feburary shipments anticipated
  • Despite high market prices, Ethiopia offers great value in 2025
  • Trabocca Addis Ababa Office allows to access best coffees early on
  • Wet Mill Traceability Project realigned high standards with suppliers
  • Dry Mill Standards improve
  • Now is the best time to book your Ethiopian coffees!
New crop container stuffing from fresh Ethiopia coffee harvest.

But how does it work?

Pre-booking is your opportunity to access all available coffees of the harvest. Instead of relying on sourcing your coffees from our curated spot list, you will let us know your tailored needs in advance. Each season, we cup thousands of samples, and with your preferences in mind, we can match you with the best available offers. This allows you to plan ahead, find unique supply chains, and secure the best quality coffees.

Reach out via the form below and start the conversation with a trader responsible for your region.