Black History: Special Delivery!!

Coffee originated in Ethiopia! It was first discovered around the 10th or 11th century. It represents 60% of Ethiopia’s export revenue. Second only to oil, coffee is the most valuable legally traded commodity in the world.

Many coffee farmers in Ethiopia have struggled financially with bulk of profits going to middle men and distributors. Many coffee farmers have abandoned the cultivation of coffee in favor of more lucrative crops. Climate change is also taking its toll.

Still, Ethiopia continues to be a larger exporter of coffee. Its various types of coffees are sought after all over the world.

Sources:

http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=2621

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/06/19/533538555/ethiopias-coffee-farmers-are-on-the-front-lines-of-climate-change

http://equalexchange.coop/history-of-coffee-in-ethiopia