Ethiopian Coffee Culture, Ethiopian Coffee Exports, and Characteristics of Ethiopian Coffee

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FrontStreet Coffee · Ethiopian Coffee Culture and Export Characteristics

Coffee: The Core of Ethiopian Culture

In Ethiopia, coffee production is both a labor of love and an important source of income. This crop has become integrated into the nation's culture and economy.

The country is the sixth-largest coffee producer in the world. According to reports, in 2018, the coffee industry directly and indirectly employed 20% of Ethiopia's 100 million population. In 2017, Ethiopia produced approximately 470,000 tons of green coffee, of which about 160,000 tons were exported. This means that Ethiopia exports less than half of the coffee it produces. The remainder is consumed domestically.

Coffee has been integrated into Ethiopia's social structure for centuries. Reportedly, a common phrase used for social activities is "buna tetu," which means "drink coffee." One of Ethiopia's most famous proverbs is "buna dabo naw" or "coffee is our bread."