Beriti smallholder community

The Halo Beriti community is located within the Gedeo Zone of Ethiopia’s Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region (SNNPR), specifically within the Gedeb district. This area is geographically situated in the southern reaches of the celebrated Yirgacheffe region, a landscape defined by high altitudes ranging from 1,950 to 2,300 meters above sea level. The region is often referred to as the 'Land of Many Springs,' providing the ideal topography and water access necessary for cultivating exceptional Arabica coffee.

In practice, the 'Beriti smallholder community' consists of hundreds of individual farmers, often managing tiny garden plots of approximately two hectares. These farmers typically intercrop coffee with food crops, maintaining traditional agricultural practices that generally eschew the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Because these plots are small, the farmers rely on centralized washing stations to process their hand-picked cherries, ensuring the coffee is sorted, weighed, and prepared to the rigorous standards required for the specialty market.

Traceability for this community is managed through these local washing stations, such as the Halo Beriti station established in 2014 or facilities operated by partners like Boledu Coffee and METAD. These stations serve as hubs for the community, receiving cherries from hundreds of local contributors. By centralizing the processing—whether through washed or natural methods—these stations allow for the separation of specific flavor profiles that have made the Halo Beriti name synonymous with high-quality Ethiopian coffee.

Processing at these stations is a point of pride for the community. Whether the coffee undergoes a fully washed process to highlight floral and citrus notes or a natural process to emphasize fruit-forward sweetness, the meticulous hand-sorting of cherries is a hallmark of the region. This 'special preparation' ensures that only the highest quality cherries are selected, which is essential for maintaining the reputation of the Halo Beriti name in international specialty coffee competitions and roaster offerings.

For the farmer, this system provides a vital link to the global market. By delivering cherries to established stations, smallholders gain access to processing infrastructure that would be impossible to maintain on an individual level. This collaborative model allows roasters to source consistent, high-scoring lots that reflect the unique terroir of the Gedeo Zone, characterized by notes of jasmine, stone fruit, and tea-like acidity.

Today, the story of the Beriti community is one of resilience and quality. As the specialty coffee industry continues to prioritize transparency and origin-focused sourcing, the Halo Beriti name has become a recognized marker of excellence. Through the efforts of local leaders and the dedication of the smallholder families, this community continues to contribute to the global supply of high-end coffee, ensuring that the traditional heirloom varieties of the region remain a cornerstone of the specialty coffee experience.