Seasonality background

Seasonality

Ethiopian Coffee Harvest Calendar for Guji Zone

A month-by-month guide to picking, processing, sampling, and shipping windows for Guji specialty coffee — built for roasters and importers planning the 2026/27 crop.

When to buy

When Is Ethiopian Coffee Harvested?

The Guji main crop runs from October flowering through September shipping — a 12-month cycle that buyers must align with their roasting calendars.

Ethiopian coffee in Guji Zone is harvested between November and February. Shakiso starts in November at lower elevations, Hambela peaks in December, and high-altitude Uraga finishes in late January. Pre-shipment samples are typically available February–April, with first containers leaving Djibouti from June onwards.

Planning the current crop? Read the Guji Coffee 2025/26 Season Update for harvest, pricing, and the washed-to-natural shift this season.

October

Flowering review & early cherry set

All Guji sub-regions

November

Harvest begins at lower elevations

Shakiso (1,800–2,000 m)

December

Peak picking, washing stations open

Hambela & lower Uraga

January

Peak harvest at high elevations

Uraga (2,100–2,350 m)

February

Late picking, naturals on raised beds

Hambela & Shakiso

March

Drying completion, parchment storage

Washing stations

April

Dry milling begins in Addis Ababa

Central dry mills

May

Cupping, grading & sample dispatch

CQIC & exporters

June

Pre-shipment samples to roasters

International buyers

July

First containers leave Djibouti

Export logistics

August

Peak shipping window

Europe, US, Asia, MENA

September

Late shipments, contract closeouts

Final dispatches

Buyer Actions

What Should Roasters Do Each Quarter?

Aligning purchasing milestones with the harvest cycle ensures access to top lots and predictable freshness on arrival.

Sep – Nov

Plan & Pre-Book

Confirm volume forecasts with exporters before harvest. Early commitments secure access to specific washing stations and competition lots.

Dec – Feb

Request Pre-Shipment Samples

First washed samples ship from Hambela in late January. High-elevation Uraga samples follow in February. Naturals arrive 4–6 weeks later.

Mar – May

Approve & Contract

Cup pre-shipment samples, finalise grade and price, and lock contracts with shipping windows tied to your roasting calendar.

Jun – Aug

Ship & Receive

Containers move from Modjo dry port to Djibouti. Transit is 18–22 days to Antwerp, 30–35 to US East Coast, 35–45 to East Asia.

By Sub-Region

How Does Harvest Timing Vary Across Guji?

Elevation drives picking sequence. Lower-elevation Shakiso starts first; high-altitude Uraga finishes last.

Shakiso

Nov – mid-Jan picking

1,800–2,100 m semi-forest. First washed samples ready by mid-February.

Shakiso terroir →

Hambela

Dec – Feb picking

2,000–2,200 m. Naturals dry on raised beds for 18–24 days; samples land March–April.

Hambela terroir →

Uraga

Late Dec – Feb picking

2,100–2,350 m. Latest harvest in Guji; pre-shipment samples typically in April.

Uraga terroir →

Last reviewed:

FAQ

Harvest & Shipping Questions

When does Ethiopian coffee harvest start?
The main Guji harvest begins in early November at lower elevations around Shakiso (1,800–2,000 m). Mid-elevation Hambela peaks in December, and high-altitude Uraga (above 2,100 m) is typically picked from late December into early February. Cherry selection is done by hand in multiple passes to ensure only ripe red cherries enter the washing station.
When is fresh-crop Ethiopian coffee available to buyers?
Pre-shipment samples for washed Guji lots are usually available from late February through April. Naturals follow 4–6 weeks later because of longer drying times. First containers depart Djibouti from June, with the bulk of arrivals at European and North American ports between July and September of the harvest year.
How long does shipping take from Ethiopia?
Containers move overland from Addis Ababa or the Modjo dry port to the port of Djibouti, then by sea. Typical transit times are 18–22 days to Antwerp, 22–28 days to Hamburg, 30–35 days to US East Coast, 40–48 days to US West Coast, and 35–45 days to Yokohama or Busan.
Can I get samples outside the harvest window?
Yes. Spot-lot samples from current crop remain available throughout the year while inventory lasts. Past-crop samples can be requested for benchmarking. For new-crop reservations, contact us before September to lock allocation for the next harvest cycle.
How does altitude affect picking timing?
Higher altitudes mean cooler temperatures and slower cherry maturation. A 300-metre elevation gain can delay ripening by 3–5 weeks. This is why Uraga (2,100–2,350 m) finishes after Shakiso, and why high-elevation lots tend to develop denser beans, brighter acidity, and more complex aromatics.

Reserve Your 2026/27 Crop Allocation

Lock in volume from Uraga, Hambela, or Shakiso before the next harvest. Early commitments secure access to top washing-station lots.

Contact Our Export Team