Ethiopia Gedeb

Ethiopian coffee production is profoundly influenced by the country’s three main seasons. The Bega season (October-January) is the long dry period, crucial for coffee harvesting and processing. The Belg season (February-May) brings the first rains, essential for coffee flowering and early fruit development. The Krempt season (June-September) sees heavy rainstorms from the east, crucial for the later stages of coffee fruit development and ripening. By the end of September, the rains cease abruptly, allowing the coffee fruits to ripen, leading to a bustling harvest period by November.

Lalesa, located in Gedeb, has become a significant sourcing location for Ephtah. The Lalesa site is owned by Ephtah, with land purchased in July 2023, followed by the construction of warehouses and drying beds in September 2023. The region is predominantly Christian, with both Protestant and Orthodox followers. The community benefits from various social projects initiated by Ephtah, including the opening of a daycare center for farmers’ children and participation in the Ama Commitment scheme, which supports women farmers.

The Lalesa, Gedeb lot, grown at an elevation of 2150-2200m, encompasses a total parcel size of approximately 9000 kg. The coffee is naturally grown under the shade of trees, primarily Ensete (false banana tree). The coffee undergoes fermentation in plastic barrels for nine days, followed by a drying period of 13-18 days. It is stored in the site warehouse before being moved to Addis Ababa when ready. The processing methods are chosen to maximize quality. Once dried and stored, the coffee is transported to Moplaco in Gerji, Addis Ababa, and then moved to Djibouti via train for export.