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Ethio Coffee Import and Export PLC is a family-owned Ethiopian coffee exporter shipping green coffee beans to roasters, importers, and distributors worldwide.
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Further reading:
Ethiopian coffee harvesting runs from October through February, but the export window extends from December through August depending on processing method and region. Washed coffees typically ship 2-3 months after harvest; naturals take 3-5 months. Buyers who align their purchasing calendar to these windows secure the freshest lots at the most competitive prices. The quarterly buying plan in this guide gives importers and roasters a month-by-month framework for samples, contracts, and shipments.
Ethiopia's coffee crop year runs from October to September in ICO reporting terms. The main harvest begins in October at lower altitudes and extends through February at the highest elevations. Unlike countries with two distinct harvest cycles (such as Colombia or Kenya), Ethiopia has a single main harvest. However, the wide altitude range across growing regions (1,400 to 2,200+ meters) creates a staggered picking season that spans roughly five months.
The table below maps each stage of the Ethiopian coffee cycle across twelve months. Understanding this cycle is the starting point for building a procurement calendar aligned with origin availability.
| Stage | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Harvest | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||
| Wet Milling (Washed) | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||
| Drying (Natural) | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | |||||||
| Dry Milling / Grading | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ||||||
| Export Shipments | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Peak activity indicated by darker shading. Exact timing shifts by 2-4 weeks year to year depending on rainfall patterns.
The key takeaway from this calendar: there is a 2-4 month gap between peak harvest (November-December) and peak export availability (March-May). That gap is the processing, milling, and grading pipeline. Buyers who initiate contact during harvest season (October-December) position themselves to receive pre-shipment samples in January-March and secure the best lots before peak export season.
Ethiopia has six major coffee-producing regions, each with distinct altitudes, microclimates, and harvest timing. Higher-altitude regions harvest later because cherries mature more slowly at cooler temperatures. The table below summarizes harvest windows and typical export readiness for each region. For detailed flavor profiles, grade availability, and sourcing guidance for each region, see our guide to Ethiopian green coffee origins.
| Region | Altitude (m) | Harvest Window | Export Ready | Primary Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yirgacheffe | 1,750 - 2,200 | Oct - Jan | Jan - May | Washed & Natural |
| Sidamo (Sidama) | 1,550 - 2,200 | Oct - Feb | Jan - Jun | Washed & Natural |
| Guji | 1,800 - 2,300 | Nov - Feb | Feb - Jun | Washed & Natural |
| Harar | 1,500 - 2,100 | Oct - Jan | Jan - Apr | Natural (primarily) |
| Limu | 1,400 - 2,000 | Oct - Jan | Dec - Apr | Washed (primarily) |
| Jimma | 1,400 - 1,900 | Oct - Dec | Dec - Mar | Natural & Washed |
Export ready = earliest date milled, graded, and available for booking. Higher-altitude lots within each region ship later.
Ethiopia's most sought-after origin. Yirgacheffe's high altitude (up to 2,200 m) produces dense beans with intense floral and citrus complexity. Washed lots from top stations are available as early as January, but the finest Grade 1 washed lots typically ship February through April. Natural Yirgacheffe lots follow 4-6 weeks later due to extended drying time. Demand is strong, so booking early is important. For a detailed profile, see our Yirgacheffe origin page.
The broader Sidamo zone offers exceptional diversity across sub-regions like Bensa, Chire, and Dale. Harvest starts early at lower altitudes (October) and extends through February at higher sites. Sidamo provides some of the best value in Ethiopian specialty coffee, with Grade 1 washed lots offering clean, sweet cups at lower differentials than Yirgacheffe. Export-ready lots are available from January through June, giving buyers a longer purchasing window. Learn more on our Sidamo origin page.
Guji's high-altitude sites (Hambela, Shakiso, Uraga) harvest later than most regions, with peak picking in November through January. This later timing means Guji lots arrive to market slightly after Yirgacheffe and Sidamo, often shipping from February through June. Both washed and natural Guji coffees have gained significant market recognition, especially for their complex berry and stone-fruit notes. See our Guji origin page for cupping profiles and lot details.
Harar is almost exclusively natural-processed, producing wild, fruity, blueberry-noted cups that have no equivalent from any other origin. The harvest runs October through January, and Harar naturals are typically export-ready from January through April. Volumes are smaller than the southern zone regions, and quality variation between lots can be significant. Pre-shipment sample approval is especially important for Harar purchases. Explore this region on our Harar origin page.
Limu, in western Ethiopia, produces primarily washed coffees known for balanced, clean cups with mild fruit and wine-like acidity. Lower altitude sites harvest as early as October, and Limu is often among the first regions to have export-ready lots (December-January). This early availability makes Limu a practical option for buyers who need new-crop Ethiopian coffee at the start of the calendar year. Visit our Limu origin page for current offerings.
Jimma, also in the west, is Ethiopia's highest-volume commercial coffee zone. Harvesting begins in October and finishes by December at most sites. Lower altitudes and earlier harvest translate to the earliest export-ready coffee of the season, with some lots available from late December. Jimma coffees range from Grade 4-5 commercial lots to Grade 2-3 specialty-capable lots. For price-sensitive blenders and large-volume buyers, Jimma provides reliable supply at competitive pricing. See our Jimma origin page.
Processing method has a direct impact on export timing. The difference between washed and natural Ethiopian coffee extends beyond cup profile; it determines when coffee becomes available for shipment.
The practical implication: if you need Ethiopian coffee in your warehouse by January or February, washed lots from Limu or Jimma are your most reliable options. If you can wait until April or May, the full range of naturals from Yirgacheffe, Guji, and Sidamo becomes available. For a deeper comparison of these processing methods, read our guide to washed vs natural Ethiopian coffee.
After harvest and processing, Ethiopian coffee passes through several steps before it reaches a shipping container at the port of Djibouti. Understanding this timeline helps buyers set realistic expectations for delivery.
Dry Milling & Grading (1-2 weeks)
Parchment is hulled, green beans are sorted by size and density, and defects are removed by hand or machine. ECX-grade lots are delivered to ECX warehouses for official grading; direct-trade lots are graded at the exporter's facility.
ECX Auction or Direct Offer (1-3 weeks)
ECX channel: coffee is auctioned, and the winning exporter takes title. Direct export: the exporter offers pre-shipment samples to international buyers. Direct-trade buyers who pre-contracted during harvest can skip this step.
Export Documentation (1-2 weeks)
The exporter obtains the export permit, ICO certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, and other required documents from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority and relevant agencies.
Trucking to Djibouti (3-5 days)
Coffee is loaded into containers at the exporter's warehouse (typically in Addis Ababa or regional hubs) and trucked approximately 900 km to the Port of Djibouti for vessel loading.
ECX vs Direct Trade: Timing Difference
Coffee sourced through the ECX auction typically adds 2-4 weeks to the timeline compared to direct exports, due to warehouse registration, auction scheduling, and post-auction logistics. Direct-trade relationships, where contracts are signed before or during harvest, can shave 3-6 weeks off the total timeline. For buyers who prioritize speed and lot-level traceability, working with an exporter holding a direct export license is the faster route. Learn more about the ECX system in our ECX and Ethiopian coffee export guide.
Ocean transit from Djibouti varies significantly by destination. The table below shows typical transit times and new-crop arrival windows for major importing regions.
| Destination | Transit Time | Washed Arrivals | Natural Arrivals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | 15-20 days | Jan - May | Mar - Jul |
| Mediterranean / Middle East | 7-14 days | Jan - Apr | Mar - Jun |
| US East Coast | 25-35 days | Feb - Jun | Apr - Aug |
| US West Coast | 30-40 days | Mar - Jul | May - Aug |
| East Asia (Japan, South Korea) | 20-30 days | Feb - Jun | Apr - Jul |
| Australia | 20-28 days | Feb - Jun | Apr - Jul |
Actual transit varies by shipping line, transshipment ports, and port congestion. Add 1-2 weeks for customs clearance and inland delivery.
European buyers enjoy the shortest transit window and are often the first to receive new-crop Ethiopian lots. US buyers, particularly on the West Coast, should expect a 4-6 week delay compared to European arrivals and plan inventory accordingly. For detailed logistics guidance, see our article on specialty coffee storage and freight logistics.
Ethiopian coffee prices follow a predictable seasonal pattern driven by supply availability, demand timing, and inventory levels. Understanding these cycles helps buyers time their purchases.
October - December: Pre-Season & Early Harvest
Limited new-crop availability. Prices for remaining past-crop lots may soften as buyers anticipate fresh supply. Early washed lots from Jimma and Limu may appear in December, often at premium prices due to scarcity.
January - March: New-Crop Surge
Supply increases rapidly as milling ramps up across all regions. This is typically the most competitive pricing window. Exporters are eager to move volume, and buyers have the widest selection of fresh lots. Forward contracts locked during this period often capture the best differentials. To align your purchasing calendar with expected availability, consult our 2025 harvest season outlook.
April - June: Peak Export Season
The highest volume of Ethiopian coffee ships during this window. Prices stabilize. Top specialty lots from Yirgacheffe and Guji are fully available. Natural-processed coffees peak in availability. This is the last opportunity to secure the best lots from the current crop year.
July - September: Late Season & Transition
Supply of fresh new-crop lots diminishes. Remaining inventory is past-crop. Prices for high-demand grades may firm as availability tightens. Buyers still needing supply face reduced selection and potentially higher costs. This is the worst time to be sourcing Ethiopian coffee for the first time.
For a comprehensive breakdown of pricing structures and current FOB price ranges, refer to our Ethiopian coffee FOB pricing guide.
The following framework translates the harvest calendar into a practical quarterly procurement plan. Adapt the timing to your specific needs, but the sequence of activities remains consistent year to year.
In Ethiopian coffee trade, "new crop" means coffee harvested in the current season (the most recent October-February harvest). "Past crop" refers to coffee from the previous season that remains in warehouse. The distinction matters for quality, pricing, and your purchasing strategy.
For specialty roasters, new crop is almost always the right choice. The cup quality difference is significant, particularly for single-origin offerings where brightness and complexity are selling points. For commercial blenders, well-stored past-crop Ethiopian coffee can fill supply gaps between harvest seasons at a meaningful cost savings. For more on how storage affects green coffee quality, see our green coffee shelf life and storage guide.
The main harvest runs from October through February, with peak picking in November and December. Lower-altitude western regions (Jimma, Limu) start earliest (October), while high-altitude southern regions (Guji, parts of Yirgacheffe) extend into January and February.
The earliest washed lots ship from Djibouti in December or January (Limu, Jimma). Peak export volume for washed coffees is February through April. Natural-processed coffees follow 6-8 weeks later, with peak shipments from March through June.
Transit from Djibouti to Northern Europe is 15-20 days; to the US East Coast, 25-35 days; to the US West Coast, 30-40 days; to East Asia, 20-30 days. Add 1-2 weeks for customs clearance and inland delivery after arrival at the destination port.
January through March is the most competitive buying window. New-crop supply is increasing, exporters are actively selling, and the widest selection of fresh lots is available. Locking forward contracts during this period typically captures the best pricing and lot selection.
Ethiopia has one main harvest per year, running from October through February. However, the wide altitude range across growing regions staggers the picking season so that fresh supply enters the export pipeline over approximately five months rather than all at once.
Yirgacheffe is harvested from October through January. Washed Yirgacheffe is typically export-ready from January through April. Natural Yirgacheffe, which requires longer drying time, ships from March through May. For fresh new-crop Yirgacheffe in your warehouse, plan for arrivals between February and June depending on your location.
New crop is coffee from the most recent harvest season (October-February). It has the brightest acidity, most complex aromatics, and ideal moisture content (10.5-12%). Past crop is from the previous season and has faded cup characteristics, lower moisture, and typically sells at a 10-20% discount. Specialty buyers should prioritize new crop; commercial blenders may find value in well-stored past crop.
As your Ethiopian coffee exporter, Ethio Coffee Import and Export PLC provides harvest updates, pre-shipment samples, and flexible contract terms across all six major Ethiopian coffee regions. From sourcing a single container to building a year-round supply program, we help you align your buying calendar with the freshest available lots.
About This Insight: This Ethiopian coffee harvest calendar and seasonal buying guide is published by Ethio Coffee Import and Export PLC. Harvest timing, shipping schedules, and pricing patterns can shift year to year based on weather, logistics, and market conditions. Contact us for current-season information.
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