FTO Ethiopia- Worka Natural

Ethiopia

Widely believed to be the origin of the Coffea arabica plant, Ethiopia remains a powerhouse in the coffee world to this day.

Ethiopia is the world’s seventh largest coffee producer, and the top producer on the African continent. Residents of the country account for half of its consumption, and the other half is exported to major markets like the EU, North America, and East Asia. Production methods remain mostly unchanged, with most cultivation and drying done by hand.

The government’s role in Ethiopia’s coffee production is unique, with an established Coffee and Tea Authority that acts as a part of the federal government. It sets regulations that fix prices washing stations must pay to buy beans from farmers, requires extended licensing in the domestic market, and maintains the previous regime’s decision to turn all washing stations into farmers cooperatives. It also regulates trademarks on regional names, including Harar, Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Limu.

About the Farm

This natural lot comes to us from the Worka Sakaro washing station in the Gedeb district of Ethiopia. Along with 12 standardized washing tanks and 171 drying beds, Worka Sakaro has 2.9 hectares of land for coffee growing located at 1995masl in the village of Worka Chelbiesa.
After smallholder farmers deliver their ripe cherries to Worka Sakaro, the cherries are immediately hand-sorted. The best of the lot are then taken to sun dry on raised beds for approximately 21 days. Once the ideal moisture level is reached, the coffee is milled and prepared for export.