Ethiopia is set to deepen its strategic partnership with global coffee giant Starbucks, following high-level talks aimed at expanding the role of Ethiopian coffee in the company’s global supply chain.
Ato Addisu Arega held discussions today with Roberto Vega Alonso, Vice President of Starbucks, focusing on cooperation in coffee development, specialty coffee supply, and global marketing. The meeting underscored Ethiopia’s ambition to strengthen its position as a leading supplier of high-quality specialty coffee to international markets.
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According to a statement shared by the Minister on his social media page, both sides agreed to significantly increase the proportion of Ethiopian coffee used in Starbucks’ coffee recipes. The plan hinges on ensuring a reliable and consistent supply of specialty-grade coffee, aligning with Starbucks’ global quality standards.
As part of the partnership, Starbucks will continue supporting Ethiopian smallholder farmers, with a focus on improving production capacity, productivity, and quality. The initiative is expected to enhance farmers’ incomes while strengthening Ethiopia’s value chain in the global coffee market.
Ethiopia is widely recognized as the birthplace of coffee and remains Africa’s largest coffee producer. Strengthening partnerships with major international buyers such as Starbucks is seen as critical to boosting export earnings, improving farmer livelihoods, and promoting Ethiopian coffee branding worldwide.
Starbucks is currently the world’s largest purchaser of specialty coffee, making the expanded cooperation a potentially significant milestone for Ethiopia’s coffee sector.
