DIP BAG - Ethiopia Lalesa Anaerobic

Origin and Harvest

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.

About Ephtah Specialty Coffee

Ephtah Specialty Coffee is dedicated to building sustainable and collaborative supply chains that benefit customers, farmers, and their communities. The company emphasizes promoting the role of women in the coffee industry, recognizing their pivotal role in driving social and economic change in Ethiopia. Ephtah ensures quality at every stage of the shipment process, focusing on providing the highest quality green coffee beans and maintaining satisfaction among all stakeholders in the supply chain.

Lalesa, Gedeb

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 farm, situated at an elevation of 2150-2200 MASL, covers 3.5 hectares and employs 20 permanent staff, with numbers swelling to 250 during the harvest season from late November to January. The farm features 350 drying beds and cultivates Heirloom coffee varieties.

Lot Information & Process

The Lalesa, Gedeb lot, grown at an elevation of 2150-2200 MASL, 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 (anaerobic) 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 maximise quality. Once dried and stored, the coffee is transported to Moplaco in Gerji, Addis Ababa, and then moved to Djibouti via train for export.

Economic, Social, Governance

Ephtah has undertaken several social and environmental projects associated with this coffee lot. A daycare center for farmers' children is set to open in Gedeb, and some of the women farmers in the area are part of the Ama Commitment scheme. Payments to farmers are structured with an initial payment made as soon as the coffee is received at the site, ensuring timely compensation for the coffee produced.

General

The main challenge faced during this crop cycle has been financial constraints due to the National Bank of Ethiopia's policy to control inflation. Despite these challenges, the site remains committed to producing high-quality coffee and contributing to the local economy. Future plans include expanding the Ama Commitment scheme, building a water tank for flotation to remove quakers, and increasing the number of drying beds. Additionally, Ephtah plans to grow other crops on their land, allowing local people to cultivate and sell these crops in the local market. In addition to coffee, the farmers also produce Ensete and false banana, which are used to make a local food called Kocho. The Ephtah site in Lalesa is the largest drying site in Gedeb, further underscoring the company's commitment to quality and capacity in coffee production.