Is Ethiopia’s Coffee Heritage Dying?
Adetola Adetayo Adetola is a Contributing Researcher and Writer at Susinsight. Her work covers the economic trends, environmental shifts, and social changes shaping the African continent. She holds an MSc in International Business and a BSc in Business Administration. Adetola also operates as a Financial Compliance Professional from Ireland.

Is Ethiopia’s Coffee Heritage Dying?

11 min read

An Ethiopian woman pouring coffee from a jug into multiple cups on a tray
Imagery by Tomi Abe

What’s in Your Morning Brew?

According to local folklore, a goat herder named Kaldi discovered coffee after noticing his goats' unusual energy when they ate berries from certain trees. Today, this discovery has evolved into a cornerstone of Ethiopia's economy, culture, and global coffee production. As the birthplace of Arabica coffee and home to approximately 5,000 wild coffee varieties, Ethiopia's contribution to the world's coffee supply is significant, producing 17% of global coffee output. Yet this rich heritage faces mounting difficulties that could change the future of coffee worldwide.

Coffee represents one-third of Ethiopia's export earnings and serves as a vital source of foreign currency, with the European Union purchasing over 30% of the country's beans. Beyond economics, coffee farming sustains entire communities, funding essential services like schools and healthcare centers. However, climate change predictions suggest Ethiopia could lose between 39% and 59% of its current coffee-growing areas by the century's. . .

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Adetola Adetayo Adetola is a Contributing Researcher and Writer at Susinsight. Her work covers the economic trends, environmental shifts, and social changes shaping the African continent. She holds an MSc in International Business and a BSc in Business Administration. Adetola also operates as a Financial Compliance Professional from Ireland.