ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Kata Muduga Multipurpose Farmers’ Cooperative Union and Yirgacheffe Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union have been announced as the winners of the second edition of the Ethiopia Kombe la Dhahabu Fairtrade Coffee Quality Contest. Kata Muduga emerged as a double winner, taking the first and second positions with a cupping score of 90.83 and 90.00 for its unwashed and washed arabica coffee varieties respectively.
Yirgacheffe emerged as the 2nd runners up with its unwashed coffees recording a cupping score of 89.67.
First held in 2021, Kombe la Dhahabu aims to encourage the production of high-quality coffees by Fairtrade producers. It further seeks to grow markets for these coffees nationally and internationally by promoting winning coffees at key international marketing events.
“We are very happy to win this coffee quality contest despite being only 7 months old in the Fairtrade system. The competition is excellent because it will open newer markets for us,” Ephraim Kebede, Export Manager at Kata Muduga Multipurpose Farmers’ Cooperative Union.
“Yirgacheffe Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union is very grateful that its quality coffee has been
recognised today. We will work on improving the quality of our coffee even further to improve
our market share,” said Alehegn Tiba, Project and Certification Coordinator.
The competition brought together all the country’s 7 Fairtrade certified coffee producer organisations, presenting a total of 20 samples representative of specialty lots.
“Like last year, the quality of the coffee presented in this second edition of the Ethiopia Kombe la Dhahabu Coffee Quality Contest did not disappoint. The unique flavour of these blends and the consistency of the quality of coffee is a great way to attract potential buyers,” said Cecilia Sanada, the competition’s head judge.
Last year, the promotion of winning coffees resulted in new coffee sales for winning lots totalling 94,000 metric tonnes. The sales were worth 620,253.51 USD and directly benefited 1,841 smallholder farmers.
According to Fairtrade Africa’s Coffee Programme Manager, this year’s contest will further build on the successes from the last edition, “the top four lots from today’s contest will be promoted at the Boston Specialty Coffee Expo 2022 where the overall winner will also be sponsored to participate,” said Getahun Gebrekidan.
Ethiopia’s kicks off this year’s series of coffee quality contests in Africa with more to be held in Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya.
