The Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA) has launched a large-scale training program aimed at upgrading production standards across the country’s coffee value chain, targeting both productivity gains and compliance with new international regulations.
Implemented in partnership with the FOLUR-Ethiopia Project, the initiative focuses on equipping producers and processors with modern agricultural techniques and sustainable practices. The move comes as Ethiopia pursues an ambitious target to quadruple annual coffee export revenues to 4.5 billion US by 2033.
Despite being the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia’s sector has long grappled with inconsistent quality, fragmented supply chains, and environmental degradation. Traditional farming methods and post-harvest losses have limited the competitiveness of smallholder farmers, who account for the bulk of national output.
A key driver of the training push is the upcoming European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The new rules require strict traceability and proof that coffee exports are not linked to forest degradation a compliance hurdle that demands significant upgrades in data collection and farm management.
“Producing quality coffee and maintaining healthy trade practices is essential to preserving the Ethiopian coffee brand for future generations,” said Shafi Omer, Deputy Director General of the Authority, during the program launch.
Shafi emphasized that the curriculum covers the entire supply chain from soil management and scientific cultivation to waste reduction and modern marketing systems. The goal, he noted, is to translate national policy objectives into tangible improvements at the farm level.
He also flagged a cautious note on global market dynamics. While this budget year has seen notable gains in coffee output and revenue, Shafi pointed to analysis indicating a potential downward trend in international prices. He urged sector players to adopt data-driven approaches to cost management in order to safeguard profitability.
Backed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through FOLUR-Ethiopia, the training introduces smallholder farmers to a “zero-waste” business model. Participants will learn to implement waste management systems and modern storage techniques aimed at minimizing post-harvest losses.
For millions of coffee-dependent households, the shift toward sustainability is expected to translate into more stable incomes. At the same time, conservation of Ethiopia’s unique coffee genetic heritage remains a core objective.
With the EUDR deadline approaching and global demand for deforestation-free coffee rising, the timing of the initiative positions Ethiopia to defend and potentially expand its premium position in specialty markets.