Ethiopian Coffee Cooperatives: Names, Altitudes & Certifications

If you’re sourcing Ethiopian coffee or just curious where your beans come from, knowing the names and details of local cooperatives helps you understand origin quality. Ethiopia has hundreds of producer groups, each with unique altitudes, soils, and processing setups that shape cup profiles. This guide lays out 24 key cooperatives—complete with their elevations, member counts, land types, certifications, and processing capabilities.

In short: Ethiopia’s top coffee regions like Yirgacheffe, Gedeo, and Sidamo host 24 featured cooperatives growing coffee between 1,000–2,700 meters above sea level. All grow on red-brown soils and hold at least Fair Trade and Organic certifications, with many also certified UTZ. Details like annual yields, farm sizes, and available processing equipment vary by group.

Key Cooperatives in the Yirgacheffe & Gedeo Zones

The Yirgacheffe and Gedeo areas—including sub-regions like Kochere, Wenago, and Gedeb—are home to some of Ethiopia’s most celebrated coffee cooperatives. These zones sit at high altitudes (often 1,600–2,700m), ideal for producing the bright, floral, and citrus-driven profiles the region is known for. Below are the cooperatives in these zones with their specific details.

Sigiga Cooperative

Located in the Gedeo-Kochere region, Sigiga operates between 1,600–2,500m with 1,862 members. The farm land is red-brown soil, and the coop holds Fair Trade, UTZ, and Organic certifications.

Finchewan Cooperative

Found in Gedeo-Wenago, Finchewan has 1,271 members farming at 1,450–2,000m on red-brown soil, with Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Konga Cooperative

Part of the Gedeo-Yirgacheffe zone, Konga includes 1,556 members, grows at 1,750–2,300m on red-brown soils, and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Hafursa Cooperative

Also in Gedeo-Yirgacheffe, Hafursa has 1,975 members, farms at 1,750–2,300m on red-brown soil, and produces 798,000kg of green coffee annually. Average farm size is up to 4 hectares yielding around 600kg per hectare. The coop runs a washing station and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Resa Cooperative

Located in Gedeo-Wenago, Resa has 2,719 members farming between 1,000–1,400m on red-brown soil. The group provides two sets of coffee processing equipment and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Addis Katema Cooperative

In the same Gedeo-Wenago region, Addis Katema consists of 891 members, grows at 1,000–1,400m on red-brown soil, operates a washing station, and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Other Notable Cooperatives Across Gedeo & Sidamo

Beyond Yirgacheffe, cooperatives in neighboring zones like Dila, Wenago, and Bule also contribute significantly to Ethiopia’s specialty coffee supply—with varying altitudes, yields, and processing infrastructure.

Biloya Cooperative

Located in Gedeo-Kochere, Biloya has 1,203 members, grows at 1,600–2,500m on red-brown soil, offers two sets of processing equipment, and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Worka Cooperative

In the Gedeb zone, Worka includes 305 members, farms at 1,650–2,700m on red-brown soil, yields 457,000kg of green coffee annually. Farms are up to 4 hectares with ~699kg per hectare yield. The coop runs all processing equipment, and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Koke Cooperative

Based in Gedeo-Yirgacheffe, Koke has 828 members, grows at 1,750–2,300m on red-brown soil, offers one set of processing equipment, and holds Fair Trade, UTZ, and Organic certifications.

Hama Cooperative

Also in Gedeo-Kochere, Hama has 1,505 members, farms at 1,600–2,500m on red-brown soil, and offers one set of processing equipment. It holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Lower Altitude & Western Zone Cooperatives

Some cooperatives operate at lower altitudes (1,000–1,400m) or in western zones such as Dila and Bule, offering different growing conditions and processing setups while still meeting key sustainability standards.

Resa Cooperative (reiterated context)

As noted earlier, Resa in Gedeo-Wenago (1,000–1,400m) has 2,719 members, red-brown soil, two processing sets, and both Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Addis Katema Cooperative (reiterated context)

Addis Katema, also in Gedeo-Wenago (1,000–1,400m), has 891 members, red-brown soil, a washing station, and Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Chichu Cooperative

Located in Gedeo-Dila, Chichu includes 1,675 members, grows at 1,410–2,000m on red-brown soil, with an average farm size of 4 hectares yielding ~591kg per hectare. The group offers one set of processing equipment, and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Michile Cooperative

Also in Gedeo-Dila, Michile has 1,206 members, same altitude and soil type, averages ~592kg per hectare, offers one set of processing equipment, and holds Fair Trade, UTZ, and Organic certifications.

Hase Haro Cooperative

Found in Gedeo-Wenago (1,450–2,000m), Hase Haro has 1,519 members, red-brown soil, averages ~591kg per hectare, offers one set of processing equipment, and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Dumerso Cooperative

In Gedeo-Yirgacheffe, Dumerso has 246 members, grows at 1,750–2,300m on red-brown soil, offers two sets of processing equipment, and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Tumticha Cooperative

Also in Gedeo-Yirgacheffe, Tumticha has 960 members, same altitude and soil, offers two sets of processing equipment, and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Aramo Cooperative

Located in Gedeo-Yirgacheffe (within the 90+ Chrome/Yirgacheffe region), Aramo has 2,254 members, grows at 1,750–2,300m on red-brown soil, offers two sets of processing equipment, and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Edido Cooperative

In the same Gedeo-Yirgacheffe area, Edido has 1,044 members, same altitude and soil, offers one set of processing equipment, and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Adame Cooperative

Located in Gedeo-Wenago (1,000–1,400m), Adame has 533 members, red-brown soil, offers one set of processing equipment, and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Belekara Cooperative

Also in Gedeo-Wenago (1,000–1,400m), Belekara has 685 members, red-brown soil, offers one set of processing equipment, and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Adado Cooperative

In West Sidamo’s Bule zone, Adado has 1,128 members, grows at 1,200–1,700m on red-brown soil, offers one set of processing equipment, and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Haru Cooperative

Also in Gedeo-Yirgacheffe (1,200–1,700m), Haru has 1,187 members, red-brown soil, offers one set of processing equipment, and holds Fair Trade and Organic certifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main Ethiopian coffee regions mentioned in the article?

The article focuses on cooperatives in Ethiopia’s Gedeo, Yirgacheffe, Kochere, Wenago, Gedeb, Dila, and Bule zones. These regions are part of the larger Sidamo and Yirgacheffe areas known for high-altitude, specialty-grade coffee.

What is the altitude range of these coffee cooperatives?

The cooperatives grow coffee at altitudes between 1,000 and 2,700 meters above sea level, with most located between 1,400–2,300m—the ideal range for high-quality Ethiopian specialty coffee.

What kind of soil do these farms have?

All 24 cooperatives grow coffee on red-brown soil, a common fertile type in Ethiopia’s highland coffee regions that contributes to the distinct cup profiles.

Which certifications do the cooperatives hold?

Every cooperative listed holds at least Fair Trade and Organic certifications. Many also have UTZ certification, indicating additional commitments to sustainability and traceability.

Do any cooperatives have their own washing or processing stations?

Yes, several cooperatives—including Hafursa, Worka, Addis Katema, and Aramo—operate their own washing or processing stations. Others provide one or two sets of processing equipment for members.

What is the average coffee yield per hectare?

Yields vary by cooperative. For example, Hafursa reports ~600kg per hectare, Worka ~699kg per hectare, and others like Chichu and Michile report around 591–592kg per hectare.

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