Ethiopia

 "We thank God that we are receiving a better price for our coffee. Let God be with those Fair Trade buyers."

YCFCU member

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Yirgacheffe Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (YCFCU) was formed in 2002 as an association of 23 local cooperatives, who had formerly sold exclusively to local coffee boards. Located in Gedeo in southern Ethiopia, the co-op farms over 62,000 hectares in one of the most famous growing regions of the country. After 17 years (1977-1993) in a socialist-oriented coffee business, the cooperatives reorganized as the economy liberalized in 1993.

Since their establishment, most cooperatives have been engaged in coffee production and supply to the local market. YCFCU was given special permission to bypass the Central Auction by the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority to export directly to international buyers. YCFCU has been Fair Trade Certified by Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) since 2003. The major aim of the union is to secure better prices for farmers and access the international coffee market.

 The Fair Trade price has enabled Yirgacheffe Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union to establish various social and productive programs 

Education:The cooperative’s increased revenue has allowed three communities to build local schools. YCFCU has also provided scholarships for 18 college students and school uniforms for orphaned children. 

Productive Investment:Most farmers have made tremendous improvement in coffee quality after securing better prices on the Fair Trade market.

Organic Certification Agency:   BCS

Quality Awards: At the 2005 ECAFE Competition, YCFCU received first and second place awards for its washed coffee and second place for unwashed coffee. Of the 25 honors at this year's competition, Yirgacheffe coffees took twelve. Yirgacheffe coffee was also awarded second best African coffee at the SCAA Cupping Pavillion in 2005. YCFCU received the International Gold Award in 2007 from BID, Paris.

FLO Id: 2520   Year Established: 1993  

 Number of Members: 44,189

Estimated Annual Production:  2,155 Containers