45 small producers working with Sookoo Coffee
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This tag identifies coffee lots produced by smallholder farmers who deliver cherries to Sookoo Coffee, an Ethiopian exporter and processor led by Ture Waji. It signifies a commitment to hyper-local traceability, where coffee is separated by the specific kebele (village) of origin rather than broad regional labels, ensuring higher quality standards and direct support for local farming communities in the Guji zone.
Sookoo Coffee is a family-owned enterprise based in Ethiopia, founded in 2018 by Ture Waji, a figure widely recognized in the specialty coffee industry as the 'King of Guji.' Operating primarily within the Guji zone of the Oromia region, the company manages multiple washing and drying stations, including Dambi Uddo, Raro Nansebo, and Haroo Waccuu. The core of their operational model relies on partnerships with smallholder farmers whose 'garden' plantations typically span less than 2.5 hectares. These farmers intercrop coffee with subsistence crops like corn and vegetables under a semi-forest canopy, a traditional practice that maximizes land utility and supports local food security.
The tag '45 small producers working with Sookoo Coffee'—or similar designations referencing specific numbers of farmers—highlights the company's commitment to micro-lot traceability. Rather than aggregating cherries from an entire region, Sookoo Coffee separates lots based on the specific kebele where the cherries were harvested. This granular approach allows roasters and consumers to identify the exact community responsible for the coffee, moving beyond the generic 'Sidamo' or 'Guji' labels that historically obscured the origins of Ethiopian specialty coffee.
Ture Waji’s background in quality management at established entities like Mormora Estate and Guji Highlands Coffee Company informs the rigorous processing protocols implemented at Sookoo stations. The company focuses heavily on natural processing, employing meticulous drying techniques such as controlled layer density and frequent rotation of cherries on raised beds. These methods are designed to produce exceptionally clean, fruit-forward profiles, often featuring notes of blueberry, peach, and floral aromatics, which have garnered significant acclaim in the international specialty market.
Beyond processing, Sookoo Coffee emphasizes social sustainability as a pillar of its business. The company provides premium prices to farmers, facilitates training, and invests in community infrastructure, including road construction and school support. By maintaining direct relationships with these smallholder groups, Sookoo ensures that the economic benefits of high-scoring specialty coffee reach the producers directly, fostering long-term stability for the families involved in the supply chain.
The varieties cultivated by these smallholders often include JARC-released selections such as 74110 and 74112, alongside indigenous local landraces. These varieties are chosen for their cup quality and resilience to local environmental pressures. The high altitudes of the Guji highlands—often exceeding 2,000 meters above sea level—provide the ideal micro-climate for these varieties to develop the density and complexity required for specialty-grade coffee.
For the drinker, this tag represents a transparent link to a specific group of farmers in a defined geographic hamlet. It serves as a testament to the shift in Ethiopian coffee sourcing, where the focus has moved toward identifying the specific hands that harvested the crop. As Sookoo Coffee continues to expand its operations, including plans for increased washed-process production, the company remains a central reference point for high-quality, traceable, and community-focused coffee production in Southern Ethiopia.