Sidamo G2 – 2014 crop - Ethiopia

In 2008 Ethiopia began the centralization of all coffee exports through the then established Ethiopia Commodity Exchange (ECX). This eliminated most of roasters and importers ability to provide accurate information of the precise traceability of coffees. 90 percent of coffees move through the ECX and are cupped according to profile then graded and marked generically for export.  10 percent of coffee grown is now eliglible to be purchased through cooperatives which is a step in the right direction for control of sale for farmers and traceability.

All of the Ethiopian coffees that we purchase at Mercanta are selected on the basis of their exceptional cup profile first and foremost. This remains our guiding principle in Ethiopia and in all origins where we source coffees.

We are monitoring the situation in Ethiopia with regard to traceability. But regardless of developments, we will continue to cup our way through many samples and offer only the best that we find.

About the Sidamo region:

Sidamo (or Sidama - the latter refers to the Sidama people, the former is what used to be known as Sidamo province) covers a large area spreading through the fertile highlands south from Lake Awasa in the Rift Valley. It is made up of over 20 different administrative areas, or ‘woredas’, with varying microclimates and altitudes; accordingly, there is a big variety of both grades and cup profiles that end up labeled as Sidamo.