Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Ethiopia Stirs Up Coffee Industry

Fair trade to get a lot more fair if trademark approved

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 10, 2007 3:33 PM CST

(Newser) – Ethiopia is trademarking its distinctive coffee crop, a move that could bring $88 million a year to the impoverished country, the Christian Science Monitor reports. Coffee connoisseurs happily pay up to $10 per pound for beans from Ethiopia’s Yirgacheffe region, but less than $1 of that goes to farmers growing it. Obtaining the trademark could change all that, much to the chagrin of distributors such as Starbucks.

“It's quite innovative for a branding initiative to come out of the developing world,” said one Oxfam America official. “It’s a big deal.” So-called “fair trade” initiatives, which use profits from specially marked coffee to launch humanitarian projects, have helped somewhat, but producers aren’t satisfied. “Rather than charity, we want to sell the best quality coffee at a decent price,” said one grower.

Coffee beans could prove to be a precious commodity for Ethiopia.
Coffee beans could prove to be a precious commodity for Ethiopia.   (Associated Press)
Ethiopians are attempting to brand their distinctive coffee beans.
Ethiopians are attempting to brand their distinctive coffee beans.   (KRT Photos)
Coffee currently sells for roughly 17 cents a pound in Ethiopia.
Coffee currently sells for roughly 17 cents a pound in Ethiopia.   (KRT Photos)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Developing Nations Were In on 'Danish Text'

Brooklyn's New 'Coffee' Lovers: Tots

Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever

Starbucks' New Frontier: India

Starbucks Bans Blonde Jokes


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne