The 2025/2026 Ethiopian coffee harvest ran October 2025 to January 2026, with peak picking in November–December 2025. Processing and grading completed February–March 2026. Fresh-crop 2026 lots are shipping March–June 2026, arriving at European ports April–June and North American ports May–July 2026. Optimal buying window: March–May 2026.
Companion to our general seasonal buying guide — this page covers the specific 2025/2026 crop year.
2026 Harvest at a Glance
Key 2026 dates
- Picking peak: November–December 2025
- Processing & grading: January–March 2026
- First fresh-crop ex-Djibouti: March 2026
- European arrivals: April–June 2026
- US west-coast arrivals: May–July 2026
- Asia-Pacific arrivals: May–August 2026
- Next harvest begins: October 2026
Month-by-Month Calendar
- Oct 2025: Harvest opens in lower-altitude Sidamo, Harrar, Limu
- Nov 2025: Peak picking across all regions; washing stations at full capacity
- Dec 2025: Continued peak picking; Yirgacheffe and Guji highlands ramp up
- Jan 2026: Harvest tail in highest-altitude Yirgacheffe; drying continues on raised beds
- Feb 2026: Dry-milling, hulling, density and screen sorting; ECX grading begins
- Mar 2026: Grade 1 lots released; pre-shipment samples sent to importers; first containers ship
- Apr 2026: Peak export month; Yirgacheffe Q1 and Sidamo Q2 fresh-crop contracts close fastest
- May 2026: First European arrivals; second wave of contracts for Jun–Aug shipment
- Jun 2026: Continued exports; spot inventory still strong
- Jul–Aug 2026: Current crop steady; pricing typically firms as remaining Q1 sells through
- Sep 2026: Pre-harvest quiet; importers draw down inventory
- Oct 2026: Next (2026/2027) harvest opens
Regional Harvest Timing in 2025/2026
- Yirgacheffe: Nov 2025 – Jan 2026 peak; high-altitude lots into early Feb
- Sidamo: Oct – Dec 2025; broad altitude range causes wider window
- Guji: Nov 2025 – Jan 2026; some Uraga and Hambela lots into Feb
- Harrar: Oct – Dec 2025; predominantly natural-processed
- Limu / Jimma: Oct – Dec 2025; mostly washed
- Kaffa: Nov – Jan 2026; forest and semi-forest coffee
Shipping and Arrival Windows
Transit times from Djibouti port (Ethiopia's primary export gateway):
- Northern Europe (Hamburg, Antwerp): 21–28 days
- Mediterranean (Genoa, Trieste): 14–21 days
- US East Coast (NY/NJ): 28–35 days
- US West Coast (Oakland, LA): 32–42 days
- East Asia (Yokohama, Busan): 28–35 days
- Australia (Melbourne, Sydney): 28–35 days
Add 7–14 days for inland transit, customs clearance, and warehouse intake. See the trade and export guide for documentation requirements.
Optimal Buying Windows in 2026
Buy in March–May 2026 for maximum freshness and selection of Grade 1 lots. Buy in June–August 2026 for value pricing on Grade 2 and current-crop spot offers. Place forward contracts in March–April 2026 to secure year-round supply. Avoid September–October 2026 for freshness-critical purchases — old crop dominates that window.
2025–2026 Weather and Crop Outlook
The 2025 main rainy season (June–September) delivered near-average rainfall across the southern coffee belt, supporting cherry development in Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, and Guji. Localised dry spells in parts of West Arsi and southern Sidamo modestly reduced cherry size in some kebeles, but Grade 1 availability is healthy. Volumes from the 2025/2026 crop are estimated near or slightly above the five-year average.
Cup quality reports from early March–April 2026 cuppings are positive: classic floral-citrus profiles in washed Yirgacheffe, strong fruit-forward naturals from Guji, and balanced washed Sidamo lots scoring 84–87 SCA on average.
Buyer's Planning Checklist for 2026
- Jan–Feb 2026: Audit prior-year usage; lock budget per region and grade.
- Feb–Mar 2026: Request fresh-crop samples from 2–3 exporters per origin.
- Mar–Apr 2026: Cup, score, and finalise forward contracts; confirm shipping windows.
- May–Aug 2026: Receive shipments; cup arrivals; release final payment against approval samples.
- Sep 2026: Inventory review; begin scoping the 2026/2027 crop.
- Oct 2026 onward: Monitor 2026/2027 harvest reports for early indications.
Ready to start? Submit a wholesale inquiry for current 2026 fresh-crop offer lists.
Frequently Asked Questions
GreenBean Coffee Editorial Team
Written by the export and quality control team at GreenBean Coffee, Addis Ababa. Our team has over 15 years of combined experience in Ethiopian specialty coffee sourcing, grading, and international trade logistics. All content is reviewed by licensed Q-graders and certified coffee professionals.
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