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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union Cooperative Union has been announced as the winner of the 5th edition of the Kombe la Dhahabu Fairtrade Coffee Quality Contest with an outstanding cupping score of 90.58 out of 100. The cooperative impressed an expert panel of internationally accredited Q-graders with its exceptional washed coffee, showcasing remarkable aroma, balanced acidity, full body, and rich flavour profile.
Layo Teraga Coffee Producers Cooperative followed closely in second place with a score of 90.33, while Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union [Natural] secured third place with a cupping score of 89.83. The winner, first and second runners up were announced in a grand ceremony at the Swiss Inn Nexus Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, celebrating five years of recognizing and promoting the finest Fairtrade-certified coffees across the continent.
Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union coffee stood out for its exceptional quality, earning high marks across all evaluation parameters. Winning Kombe la Dhahabu has historically proven to be a game-changer, with past champions securing lucrative export deals, showcasing their coffee at major global events such as the Specialty Coffee Association and the World of Coffee, and establishing direct trade relationships with specialty coffee buyers.
Kombe la Dhahabu, Kiswahili word for ‘Golden Cup,’ has grown into a prestigious platform that not only showcases Africa’s best Fairtrade-certified coffees but also opens doors for producers to access new international markets.
Since its inception in 2021, the competition has amplified the reputation of African coffee on the global stage. This year’s champion joins an elite group of past winners, including Torban Anfillo Multipurpose Farmers’ Cooperative Union (2021), Kata Muduga Multipurpose Farmers’ Cooperative Union’s Export (2022), Yirgacheffe Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Union (2023), and Layo Teraga Multipurpose Farmers’ Cooperative (2024).
At the 5th Edition of the Kombe La Dhahabu Coffee Contest, Mr. Gizat Worku, CEO of the Ethiopia Coffee Association, emphasized the importance of European Union Due Diligence Regulation (EUDR) compliance for Ethiopian coffee farmers.
“The EUDR offers Ethiopian farmers and cooperatives an opportunity to showcase our coffee to buyers. We are committed to investing in traceability, but the European Union must also ensure fair prices,” said Mr. Worku.
He also highlighted the impact of climate change on coffee production, citing Brazil’s experience with both excessive and insufficient rainfall. Mr. Worku stressed the need for collaboration among government, farmers, and development partners to reshape EUDR implementation.
In her remarks, Ms. Luladay Mengiste, WTO/AfCFTA Advisor at MoTRI, discussed the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost Ethiopia’s coffee exports.
“Ethiopia is already exporting unroasted coffee to neighboring countries and other African nations like South Africa. Through AfCFTA, Ethiopia can expand exports of value-added products. The agreement can also help attract investors, particularly in value addition within the coffee value chain,” said Ms. Luladay Mengiste.
This milestone edition of Kombe la Dhahabu attracted an unprecedented gathering of international buyers eager to source high-quality, sustainably produced coffee. The event featured live cupping sessions, dynamic networking opportunities, and engaging discussions. Among the highlights were in-depth analyses of critical topics including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and its implications for African coffee producers, navigating the EU Organic Regulation, leveraging digital tools for EUDR awareness, compliance, and coffee traceability, and exploring the role of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in expanding coffee trade. These discussions highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of intra-African trade.
