Global coffee chain Starbucks and the Ethiopian government have met to discuss expanding the nation’s coffee in global markets, centring on securing a reliable supply of specialty coffee and increasing the share of Ethiopian coffee in Starbucks products worldwide.
Minister of Agriculture Addisu Arega Kitessa, who met with Starbucks Vice President Roberto Vega Alonso, said in a statement to social media the discussion focused on “ensuring a reliable supply of specialty coffee and reaching a shared understanding that will meaningfully increase the role and share of Ethiopian coffee within Starbucks’ coffee recipes.”
Minister Addisu also said Starbucks reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthen its support for improving the production and productivity of Ethiopia’s smallholder coffee farmers.
According to the Ethiopian News Agency, reports indicate Starbucks’ coffee purchases rose by about 400 per cent after the company signed cooperation agreements with Ethiopian stakeholders.
In January 2025, Starbucks announced its single-origin Ethiopia whole bean coffee would be available in stores across North America.
