Coffee Geography

In 2014 the Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS)   initiated the CAFE Project (Coffee Alliance For Ethiopia) in the Amhara state in the northern region where coffee plantation is not widely cultivated to support small holders coffee farmers in the islands of Lake Tana. In addition to improving quality and productivity, HRNS’ CAFE Project has components dedicated to balancing gender equity in the farming households, retaining youth in farming and mitigating the effects of climate change on farming communities. One of the CAFE Project’s first initiatives was to help Amhara farmers organize into legally registered cooperatives. Zege Coop was the first to restructure under the Amhara Coffee Farmer’s Cooperative Union (ACFCU,) newly formed and legally registered in 2015.  Lake Tana is not only the largest lake in Ethiopia, it also happens to be the source of the Blue Nile river which runs over 900 miles from its source to Khartoum, Sudan all the way to Alexandria, Egypt creating the we...

The affordable Italian espresso may soon cost more as the global commodity prices rise Italians pay around €1.20 for an espresso or €1.50 for a cappuccino, which is quite cheap comparing to other developed countries. This price may increase as much as 66% higher than current rates, stirring concern among consumers and cafe owners alike in a country where affordable coffee has long been a daily ritual for all.  Italy’s cherished coffee culture is facing a significant challenge as global coffee bean prices surge to record highs, potentially forcing Italians to pay up to €2 for their beloved espresso shots.  Assoutenti, a prominent consumer association, estimates that Italians and foreign tourists consume a staggering 6 billion coffees annually at public establishments, generating revenues of approximately €7 billion. This heavy caffeine habit has been fueled by the traditionally low coffee prices in Italy, which are among the lowest in Western Europe.