Grade 1 Ethiopian Arabica
- SCA cupping score: 86–92+
- Defects: 0–3 per 300 g sample
- Regions: Yirgacheffe, Guji, Sidamo
- Processing: Washed and Natural
- Variety: 100% Heirloom Arabica
UK Market · Direct from Ethiopia
Ethiopian Green Coffee Beans —Wholesale Supplier for United Kingdom
ABYSSINIA ships Grade 1 and Grade 2 Ethiopian green coffee direct from Addis Ababa to UK specialty roasters, importers, and consolidators — FOB Djibouti, with 3–4 weeks transit to Felixstowe, Southampton, or London Gateway.
Yes — ABYSSINIA ships Ethiopian green coffee directly to buyers in the United Kingdom. We supply Grade 1 and Grade 2 Arabica from Yirgacheffe, Sidamo and Guji. The minimum order is 10 bags (600 kg); a full container load is 17–19 metric tons. Lots ship FOB Djibouti, or CIF to Felixstowe, Southampton, London Gateway, and Liverpool, with transit to Felixstowe of 3–4 weeks. Every shipment carries farm-level GPS traceability documentation.
Why UK Buyers Source Ethiopian Green Coffee Direct
Most UK roasters source Ethiopian coffee through London-based importers such as Mercanta, Falcon Speciality, or DRWakefield. Buying direct from an Ethiopian exporter lets you skip the domestic importer margin, choose a specific washing station, and lock pricing on a forward contract — useful when sterling moves or when a named lot matters for your menu.
The trade-off is minimum order. Direct export works best for buyers who need:
- Full Container Loads (FCL): 17–19 metric tons per container — suitable for larger roasters, importers, or consolidators serving multiple clients.
- Part loads (LCL): available for smaller quantities; we can consolidate with other UK-bound shipments on request.
- Specific lot selection: buyers who want Yirgacheffe Grade 1 washed only, or Guji natural from a named sub-region, rather than a generic "Ethiopian blend."
What We Export to United Kingdom
Grade 2 Ethiopian Arabica
- SCA cupping score: 80–84
- Defects: 4–12 per 300 g sample
- Regions: Yirgacheffe, Sidamo
- Processing: Washed and Natural
- Variety: 100% Heirloom Arabica
All lots are ECX-graded, GrainPro-lined, and shipped with a full export documentation set including phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, ECX grade certificate, ICO certificate, bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and weight certificate.
Shipping to United Kingdom
Primary Incoterm: FOB Djibouti — you arrange freight from Djibouti port. ABYSSINIA handles all in-country logistics: ECX purchase, washing station collection, dry mill processing, quality control, and export documentation to the port.
CIF available: We can arrange freight and insurance to your nominated UK port if preferred.
Transit times from Djibouti
| Destination | Estimated transit |
|---|---|
| Felixstowe | 3–4 weeks |
| Southampton | 3–4 weeks |
| London Gateway | 3–4 weeks |
| Liverpool | 4–5 weeks |
Total lead time from confirmed order to your warehouse: typically 8–14 weeks, depending on availability, dry mill scheduling, and vessel schedule.
Minimum Orders for UK Buyers
| Order size | Quantity | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Sample / trial lot | Contact us | — |
| Boutique roaster | 10 bags | 600 kg |
| Mid-range | 20–50 bags | 1,200–3,000 kg |
| Large roaster / importer | 50–100 bags | 3,000–6,000 kg |
| Full container (FCL) | FCL | 17–19 metric tons |
UK specialty roasters buying for the first time typically start with a sample kit, then move to a 10–20 bag trial before committing to a larger forward contract.
Payment Terms
- LC (Letter of Credit) — preferred for first-time buyers
- TT (Telegraphic Transfer) — 30–50% advance, balance against documents
- CAD (Cash Against Documents)
UK Import Notes
- Deforestation due diligence — where the UK actually stands: Every shipment ships with farm-level GPS coordinates and a full traceability dossier — the same evidence base the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires when it applies from 30 December 2026. The UK's own Forest Risk Commodities regime under Schedule 17 of the Environment Act 2021 is not yet in force: the secondary legislation has not been laid before Parliament, and the announced initial scope covers cattle products, cocoa, palm oil and soy — not coffee. UK buyers therefore have no current statutory deforestation obligation for green coffee. We supply the dossier anyway, because most UK roasters either re-export to the EU or want the provenance on record.
- HMRC & UK Customs: Green coffee enters the UK duty-free under commodity code 0901 11 00. Your customs agent files a standard C88/SAD entry; no import licence is required for green coffee.
- Sterling pricing on request: Pricing is quoted in USD per pound by default. We can fix a GBP/USD rate for forward contracts on request.
- Certification schemes: Our guide to Ethiopian coffee certifications explains what Organic, Fair Trade and EUDR documentation actually cover, and which are worth requesting for your programme.
The 2025/26 Ethiopian Crop — What UK Buyers Need to Know
The 2025/26 main crop harvest ran October 2025 through February 2026. Quality assessments by region:
- Yirgacheffe: Consistent washed lots scoring 87–90 SCA. Jasmine, bergamot, and honeysuckle aromatics. Strong international demand — book early.
- Guji: Naturals scoring 87–89 SCA. Blueberry jam, dark chocolate, full body. Uraga and Hambela sub-regions are drawing attention from competition roasters worldwide.
- Sidamo: Grade 1 washed lots scoring 86–88. Clean, balanced, versatile for both filter and espresso blends.
Availability moves fast in Q1–Q2. See the full 2026 Harvest Report or contact us for current stock and forward pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you ship Ethiopian green coffee to the UK?
Yes. ABYSSINIA ships to all major UK container ports — Felixstowe, Southampton, London Gateway, and Liverpool. Transit time is 3–4 weeks from Djibouti.
What is the minimum order for a UK roaster?
10 bags (600 kg) is the entry point. Most UK boutique roasters start at 20–60 bags; FCL is 17–19 metric tons. Part-container consolidation is available.
Is your Ethiopian coffee EUDR-compliant for UK buyers?
Yes — every lot ships with farm-level GPS coordinates, washing station identification, and a full traceability dossier, which is what the EU Deforestation Regulation requires when it applies from 30 December 2026. Note that the UK's Forest Risk Commodities regime is not yet in force and its announced initial scope does not include coffee, so there is currently no equivalent UK statutory requirement. The dossier still matters if you re-export to the EU or need provenance on record.
Which UK ports do you ship to?
We ship to any UK port nominated by the buyer. Most UK shipments land at Felixstowe, Southampton, or London Gateway.
Do you work with UK importers as well as direct roasters?
Both. We supply UK specialty roasters direct and also work with UK green coffee importers and consolidators who hold stock in domestic warehouses.
What documentation comes with a UK-bound shipment?
Phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, grade certificate, ICO certificate, bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, weight certificate, plus a farm-level GPS traceability dossier suitable for EUDR due diligence from 30 December 2026.
UK Buyer Enquiries
Request Wholesale Pricing for United Kingdom
Include your target region (Yirgacheffe / Guji / Sidamo), grade, processing preference, and approximate quantity. We respond with current availability and FOB pricing within 24 hours.