Representing 42,000 farmers, the Yirgacheffe Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (YCFCU) and its 21 member cooperatives are located in Gedeo in southern Ethiopia, One the most famous coffee growing regions in country. The 56,000 hectares dedicated to garden. coffee produce approximately 7,000 tons of Yirgacheffe and 3,000 of Sidamo washed coffees each year, The area also produces approximately 33,000 tons of sun-dried coffee, half of which is sold in the export market: YCFCU members produce almost 60 percent of the washed coffee and 25 percent of the sun-dried coffee produced in Gedeo.
Yirgacheffe coffee, grown ,between 1,770-2,200 meters above sea level in fertile loamy soil, is the world's finest highland-grown Ethiopian Arabica coffee. Most YCFCU members cultivate between 0.25 and 1.5 hectares of coffee trees in a garden production system, Garden coffee, grown under shade' in the. vicinity of farmers' homes, is inter planed with false banana and other food crops. Building on the long history coffee production in the area, growers follow traditional cultivation practices rather than investing in chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.
Certified Organic & Fair Trade
CoffeeTraditional Ethiopian coffee cultivation practices are still dominant among Yirgacheffe farmers. Coffee trees are managed by hand and fertilized with organic matter and water pets are controlled with out harmful pesticides. Currently the union has two organic-certified coffee cooperatives producing 3,000 tons of coffee annually available for the European, Japanese and American markets. Out of 21 primary cooperatives, 5 are also registered for FLO/Fair Trade sales.
Vital Statistics of YCFUC:
Founded in july 4, 2000 by 21 primary cooperative members.42,065 coffee farmers with 250,666 family members participate in the union.
Potential to produce 4,200 tons of washed yirgacheffe coffee.
1,000 tons of organic yirgacheffe coffee are produced annually.
Konga and Hama primary Cooperatives are certified organic by BCS oko Garantie GMBH.
Primary members own four coffee hullers, 33 pulperies and 46 warehouses, enough spaces for 4,600 tons of washed coffee.
Action Market Waiver
YCFCU has obtained special permission form the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority to bypass the central coffee auction and export directly to the customer abroad.
Shipping and Forwarding
We ship coffee based on the specifications of our buyers. Coffee green beans are transported to YCFCU's shipping agent in Djibouti port, then shipped (FOB) to you.
Contact Person: Ato Lakew Belayneh (Manager)
Address
Coffee Plantation Development Enterprise
Tel 251-11-416-87-89, 251-11-467-06-88 |
