News and views on Ethiopia's finest specialty coffees - Sidamo, Harar, Yirgacheffe and Others
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Organic coffee from Ethiopia: Aleta Land Coffee (Marcopolis)
Ethiopia: U.S. Investors Invest in a Specialty Coffee Company in Ethiopia (All Africa)
Writer pours her heart into sharing Ethiopians' coffee-drinking custom (Washington Post)
“For the millions of Americans who drink coffee every day, grabbing a cup is usually a simple affair. But for the 200,000 Ethiopians who make the Washington area home, coffee is more than just a morning or afternoon pick-me-up: In their homeland, drinking coffee is close to a sacred ritual.” … read the original article on The Washington Post.
Coffee producers chase the high (Financial Times)
For centuries, poor farmers in Africa and Latin America have grown the commodity to satisfy the daily caffeine fix of rich consumers in the US, Japan and western Europe.
While the so-called traditional markets remain central to the industry, markets in Asia, Africa and Latin America are increasingly important...(READ MORE)
Assefa brewing a market for Ethiopian coffee farmers
At the tender age of 15, Tebabu Assefa fled his well-to-do home in his native city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, disguised as a peasant boy.
He sought to escape the chaos, executions and imprisonments that followed the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie's government by a military junta in the mid-1970s.
"A lot of students were talking about going to the jungle and organizing a violent rebellion," said Assefa, 50, one of the first business owners to incorporate through Maryland's benefit corporation law that started in the fall. "People were being arrested and killed. I lost some friends but not family members. ... It was just too crazy of a time."
So without his parents' knowledge, he and a few friends made it out to Kenya, where he stayed with a friend and finished high school. Assefa assumed he'd return home in a year or two, but he said the situation in Ethiopia deteriorated. He later moved to the Netherlands and Italy, finally immigrating to the U.S. in 1980.
On a trip home in 2003, he befriended coffee farmers, who he said are poor and are paid in pennies while some coffee brands sell for $13 or more per pound in local stores...Read more
Changes in the Ethiopian coffee sector causes frustration
Starbucks delays opening Ethiopia support center (IHT)
International Restaurants in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is known as much for its wild nightlife as for its museums and beautiful canals. But it also has a distinctly international flavour in the form of its restaurants.
Herrie offers French and Mediterranean cuisine within a glamorous and sophisticated environment. Founded by TV chef Herman den Blijker and associate David as part of a competition, the restaurant is now up and running. Of major interest is the fact that there is no set menu in the upstairs lounge. You can request anything and specify any number of courses. For something a little more casual, the downstairs area offers finger food and cocktails.
Olav is set up to look like a 1950s living room. The traditional dark brown panelling on grey walls and granny chairs all add to the ambience. The rates are extremely reasonable for a four course meal and the menu changes frequently to keep you constantly surprised.
The owner of Foodism in the old Leliestraat is from the former Yugoslavia. Guests are invited to try the sandwiches, grilled vegetables, goat's cheese, and mint and to wash it down with fresh juice or a smoothie. Pastas, soups, and salads are served during the evenings.
The Supperclub Cruise is themed for a ship and comes complete with a "surprise" menu, DJ, performance artists, and a unisex toilet. The staff are said to be extremely friendly and the ambience is perfect for business lunches and romantic interludes alike.
Kilimanjaro is excellent for a taste of Africa. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. The menu features dishes from across the continent with an emphasis on the Ethiopian style of enjera pancake meals. Try the Mongooza beer, which comes in a calabash, or an exotic cocktail. At the end of the meal, you can opt for freshly ground Ethiopian coffee…and popcorn. It's different, but definitely worth a try.
Mamouche is a wonderful Moroccan restaurant in De Pijp. Its Parisian flavour makes it both romantic and elegant. You'll find Moroccan dishes like couscous with saffron-baked pumpkin or Ahram, which is a dark pyramid covered in a nutty caramel sauce.
For an Indian flavour, check out Balraj. Serving up curry for more than 25 years, the restaurant has a large fan following for its snacks, soups, and meals as well. This is arguably one of Amsterdam's best Indian restaurants. Dig into the Chicken Madras and wash it down with a cup of masala chai (spiced tea).
About the Author:
Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Amsterdam accommodation rentals & Vacation rentals apartments.
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Ethiopia wins U.S. trademark rights for coffee brand (Reuters)
Africa's largest coffee producer had a protracted tussle with Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O: Quote, Profile, Research) last year over the use of the name in the United States.
"Ethiopia was forced to wait for years to secure the certificate...but now the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has confirmed that Ethiopia is the sole owner of the Sidamo coffee trademark," the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) said in a statement.
Ethiopia has already secured trademark rights for Yirgacheffee coffee in the United States.
Starbucks and Addis Ababa agreed to end their dispute in November 2007.
Ethiopia has filed an application for trademark rights for its Harar coffee, the statement said.
It said Ethiopia had signed agreements with more than 70 global companies to promote its coffees.
Ethiopia's annual production is estimated at over 330,000 tonnes. It plans to generate $500 million by exporting over 140,000 tonnes of coffee in 2008.
Ethiopia is recognised as the historic birthplace of coffee and the source of some of the finest coffee in the world. (Reporting by Tsegaye Tadesse; editing by Michael Roddy) (For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: africa.reuters.com/ )
Starbucks agrees to pay premium price for Ethiopian coffees (Capital Ethiopia)
By Andualem Sisay and Kirubel Tadesse
A few months ago, Oxfam had accused US coffee chain Starbucks of denying Ethiopia more than 88 USD a year. Oxfam reported that Starbucks asked the National Coffee Association (NCA) to block the country's bid to trademark three types of coffee bean in the US but Starbucks had denied initiating any kind of opposition to Ethiopian trademark application.
It was also reported that the Ethiopian government filed its applications to trademark its coffee bean names - Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe and at that time Oxfam claimed that Starbucks flagged up the application to the NCA, which then filed its opposition at the US Patent and Trademark Office.
After a months long dispute earlier this year, Starbucks has signed distribution, marketing and licensing agreements with Ethiopia and has agreed to assist in expanding consumer awareness of Ethiopia's coffee brands- Sidamo, Harar/Harrar and Yirgacheffe.
Howard Schultz, the Chairman of Starbucks who paid a three day visit to Addis Ababa this week with his senior officials, vows to pay premium prices for Ethiopian coffee.
Even if Prime Minister Meles showed no indication of agreeing that Ethiopia had gone the wrong routes to success; he seemed to be satisfied with the 'unprecedented decision' of Starbucks.
"All of the disagreements are behind us now because of the decision made by the chairman," said Prime Minister Meles, during a joint press briefing he gave with Howard Schultz, Starbucks Chairman, at the Prime Minister's office on Wednesday, November 28, 2007.
"He made an unprecedented decision in favoring our coffee farmers by recognizing their property rights. It has never done before for any other product from a country such as Ethiopia," he added.
"The issue of the trademark was never as contentious as it was reported," said Chairman Howard Schultz later on, in an exclusive interview with Capital on Thursday November 29, 2007 at Sheraton Addis.
He said: "We were having very positive discussions with representatives of the government for much of the past six months or so and the Ambassador has been to Seattle a number of times as have members of the coffee industry. Our interest has always been the same" .
Explaining the dispute, Schultz said: "The Ethiopian government wanted to potentially trade mark pieces of geography that stand for where the coffee is from, whether it is Harar or Sidamo or any other place and that is their privilege and their right. Starbucks as a company, we can't tell any government what to do or what not to do, we are just customers.
He added that the better way proposed was for Starbucks to be in total alignment with coffee farmers to build a partnership around sustainability, high quality premium coffee, and for that, Starbucks should pay a premium price for the coffee.
Starbucks has also indicated its readiness to support Ethiopian coffee farmers by opening a farmers support center in Addis Ababa in 2008.
The farmers support facility, which is the first in Africa and the only second after Costa Rica, is designed to enable Starbucks to work collaboratively with Ethiopian farmers to raise both the quality and production of the country's high quality specialty coffees.
During this visit, the chairman with his officials discussed the issue with some coffee farmers and coffee industry representatives.
Between 2002 and 2006, Starbucks increased its Ethiopian coffee purchases by nearly 400 percent. Today, Ethiopian coffee is found in nearly all of Starbuck's U.S stores.
Congratulations to Ethiopian government and Ethiopian coffee farmers
Eritrean refugee crisis in Europe
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Dutch investor plans five-star hotel, real-estate development (Capital Ethiopia)
By Andualem Sisay
Absorbed by the current investment climate and opportunities in Ethiopia, a Dutch national is to invest over 40 mln USD on a five star hotel and real-estate ventures in Addis Ababa.
Mr. Cvan Hal and his Ethiopian wife, Mrs. Genet Abebe, have decided to live in Ethiopia after concluding their 18 year business in the Netherlands. They have now secured 50,000 square meters in Bole area for real-estate purposes and are expecting 4-5,000 square meters of land in the same area for the five-star hotel they plan to build.
"We decided to move to Ethiopia encouraged by the business opportunities and the climate of the country," says Mr. Cvan Hal, an Energy Engineer by profession who owns, along with his wife; Cool Force- a company engaged in the transport and energy sectors.
"The market opportunities in the Netherlands are minimal when compared to that of Ethiopia, as the European market features more competition.
There are lots of opportunities in Ethiopia for an investor," he said.
When completed, the two investments are expected to create 330 permanent jobs.
Commenting on the areas that need improvement in the relevant offices he has visited so far, Mr. Hal suggested: "to make the money transfer short, easy and simple for a foreign investor, the National Bank of Ethiopia has to have one section that deals specifically with letters of credit. "This will help to reverse the current long process that consumes three to four days of a foreign investor by rotating from one office to another."
He also indicated that the investment authorities and other offices that deal with foreign investors need to prepare a web-site or brochures in various international languages so as to save the time an investor wastes not knowing where to go, which process to accomplish first, how to go about it and what documents are expected.
Source: Capital Ethiopia
Black Gold : a documentary
Starbucks strikes Ethiopia deal (BBC)
The two sides agreed in principle to sign a licensing and marketing deal which recognises the importance of Ethiopia's speciality coffee beans. [Read more...]
Starbucks Picket at Cutty Sark Greenwich (Indymedia UK)
For almost 3 years workers in Starbucks have been organising in their franchises in the USA. Starbucks have responded by waging a war of intimidation against the unionising workers. Already 5 employees have lost their jobs – Joseph Agins, Charles Fostrom, Evan Winterscheidt, Daniel Gross (Founder of the Starbucks Union) and Isis Saenz. This is a warning shot towards anyone attempting to improve work conditions. However, Starbucks workers have fought back: winning 2 workers their jobs back and more than $2000 in lost earnings. In New York City, workers have gained a 25% wage increase in just over 2 years, with similar raises in other areas they have organised.
“PLEASE DRINK SOMEWHERE ELSE TODAY”
We are asking the public to drink their coffee somewhere else, to protest Starbucks unfair practises. We also offer our support and assistance to any Starbucks barista considering organising his or her workplace. Regular pickets will be held at various franchises throughout South London to highlight Starbucks’ attacks on its workers, and to show solidarity with the 5 sacked workers in the USA.
WHY ORGANISE AT WORK?
Almost none of us really want to go to work in the morning. We do anyway because the rent and bills need paying, and we want money for ourselves (and our families), and maybe even a little bit for a social life! Sometimes however, things at your job can really get to be too much. The pay’s too low, the workload’s too tiring and management is always on your back. For many people, the immediate solution would be to find another job – only to find it’s exactly the same.
But there is another option. Together, we can fight to make our working lives more bearable. Coffee baristas in the States did just that, working together to form the Starbucks Workers Union (SWU) together with the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Thus far they’ve organised 6 franchises in New York City alone, and Starbucks Union members exert influence in many other Starbucks outlets.
There are plenty of ways in which we can better our working lives. It could be as basic as covering for a workmate or as extreme as going on strike for better pay or hours. What’s important is that we stick together: working collectively for stuff that all of us want.
VICTORY IN THE USA, ORGANISING IN THE UK
The Starbucks Workers Union won a major victory over unfair labour practices, in a conflict between the world's largest coffee chain and the baristas who work there. Faced with the prospect of having its widespread union-busting campaign exposed in a public hearing, Starbucks agreed to remedy many of the violations committed against workers who have organised a union. Workers from Leicester in this country recently followed suit and created Baristas United, which is open to employees of any coffee shop.
ELSEWHERE…
The Starbucks Workers Union is calling for Starbucks to recognize Ethiopia’s development of premium coffee varieties. If the rights to names such as Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe were recognized, coffee farmers in Ethiopia would get almost £50 million extra per year. see www.starbucksunion.org
SOLIDARITY
Only by sticking together can we improve our lives. The fired Starbucks workers sought to do that, and Starbucks are attempting to punish them for this. This cannot just be forgotten, and we must all stand together, and let Starbucks know they cannot get away with this. If you are interested in trying to organise, please speak to one of the people handing out these leaflets for information or a copy of our leaflet “Stuff your Boss doesn’t want you to know”.
This information produced on a leaflet by South London Solidarity Federation – contact: southlondonsf@solfed.org.uk
For further information, take a look at: www.solfed.org.uk ; www.starbucksunion.org ; www.iww.org.uk ; www.baristasunited.org.uk
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Ethiopian Coffee Trademark Videos on YouTube
The video posted on the site was a response to a video posted in December by Dub Hay, Starbucks Coffee Co. senior vice president, claiming the trademark and licensing scheme was illegal.
What's in a name? Ethiopia's battle against Starbucks (FP)
In March 2005, Ethiopia filed a case with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to trademark the names of three of its renowned coffee-producing regions (Yirgacheffe, Harrar and Sidamo), hoping that eventually the government will be able to force buyers into licensing agreements and thereby gain a bigger share of the sales. Starbucks, which had already applied to trademark Shirkina Sun-dried Sidamo, has been able to stall Ethiopia's progress by not responding to Ethiopia's request to drop its petition. Starbucks argues that Ethiopia should opt for "geographic certification" (used for Idaho potatoes and Florida oranges) rather than an outright geographic trademark. Ethiopia counters that it just doesn't have the resources to bear the burden of certification, and that it still wouldn't necessarily help Ethiopia earn more from coffee sold in those regions. Starbucks could still sell its Sidamo coffee for the same price—as long as it actually comes from Sidamo.
Starbucks sources only 2 percent of its beans from Ethiopia at the moment, accounting for around 2 percent of the Ethiopia's crop. Nonetheless, if Ethiopia wins its petition, it is likely to earn an extra $88 million in revenues. So for Ethiopia, there's a lot in a name.
Source: Foreign Policy