Authority working to promote Ethiopia’s special coffee at African Fine Coffees Conference

Addis Ababa, December 21, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopia is making preparations to promote its special coffee at the 20th African Fine Coffees Conference and Exhibition to be held in Addis Ababa in February 2024, according to the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority.

Ethiopia, one of Africa’s leading specialty coffee nations, will host the annual African Fine Coffees Conference under the theme of “Specialty Coffee at Origin” in the first week of February 2024.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Authority Director-General Adugna Debela said the conference would bring opportunity to promote the nation’s coffee through ‘origin trip’ to areas where coffee is produced; and there is also a test of harvest to promote Ethiopia’s coffee special test.

In addition, the director-general pointed out that there will be panel discussions as part of the conference.

The authority is working to glorify Ethiopian coffee through various mechanisms, including using the national brand at the international market, Adugna noted.

The annual conference will bring together around 2,000 regional and international coffee roasters, traders, producers, buyers, and professionals under one roof to discuss policies, sustainability, access to finance, coffee competitions, and other actions, it was learned.

The preparation to host the conference is underway, in collaboration with all pertinent stakeholders. Ethiopian Airlines will provide 20 percent discount for participants coming to Ethiopia.

According to Adugna, the authority has done successful activities through Cup of Excellence Ethiopia, the most prestigious coffee competition and auction held to identify the highest quality coffees produced, in promoting Ethiopian coffee for the past three years.

The director-general further said that the country is also working to protect its property rights in the global coffee market.

With USA, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and Germany the main export destinations of Ethiopian coffee, the nation has now increased its coffee destinations to 60 countries due to the promotion activities done using various mechanisms.

Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee Arabica and contains nearly fifth of all coffee farms around the world.

Founded in July 2000, the African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) is a regional non-profit, non-political, member-driven association representing coffee sectors in 11 member countries.

AFCA members include both private and public sector coffee stakeholders, including producers, exporters, importers, roasters, policy makers, transporters and trade representatives.