
Will Ethiopia’s rich coffee culture and biodiversity withstand climate shifts, stricter regulations, and economic pressures, or are these threats too great?
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. . .