Ethiopia to trademark two more coffee brands

17 February, 2009

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia said on Tuesday it planned to obtain trademark rights for two coffee brands, originating in its Limu and Lekempte regions, to ensure the fine beans are sold only by licensed distributors.

Africa's biggest grower already has trademark rights with global companies for its finest coffee brands; the Yirgacheffe, Sidamo and Harar coffees that are grown in the eponymous regions.

"The Ethiopian Intellectual Property Rights office (EIPRO) has embarked on efforts to secure trademark certificates for Limu and Lekempte coffees during the 21st American Specialty Coffee Conference," said Alemu Abebe, EIPRO's director.

Limu and Nekempte are regions in the misty forested highlands of south west Ethiopia near Kaffa, which is said have given its name to the plant.

"Ethiopia has been able to open new markets for its specialty coffees in India, China and Russia after the country secured property rights for its coffee," Alemu said.

It has also signed agreements with over 70 global companies to promote its coffees, he said in a statement.

The trademarks would hopefully enhance the value of Ethiopian coffee to $8 per kilo compared with $2 presently, he said.

Ethiopia exported 170,888 tonnes of coffee and earned $525.2 million during 2007/08 (June-July) period compared with 176,390 tonnes and $424.2 million in 2006/07.

The leading buyer of Ethiopian coffee is Germany, followed by Saudi Arabia, Japan, the United States and the Netherlands.

Ethiopia is the largest coffee producer in Africa with an annual production of around 330,000 tonnes. Output in 2009 is expected to be drop due to drought in some growing areas, officials say.

In January Ethiopian coffee exporters, accused of hoarding, were told to accept lower global prices and sell stocks.