Sookoo

Sookoo Coffee is a prominent family-owned coffee enterprise operating in the Guji zone of Ethiopia, a region celebrated for producing some of the country's most highly regarded specialty coffees. The company was established in 2018 by Ture Waji, a producer with extensive experience in the Ethiopian coffee sector, having previously held significant quality and management roles at established operations such as the Mormora Estate and Guji Highlands Coffee Company. His deep expertise in the region's unique micro-climates and processing techniques serves as the foundation for Sookoo's production philosophy.

The company’s operations are centered in the high-altitude, semi-forest environments of Guji, located in the southern Oromia region. This geography is critical to their output, as the high elevation and specific environmental conditions allow for the cultivation of high-quality coffee varieties. Sookoo Coffee emphasizes a rigorous approach to production, which includes careful selection of varieties suited to their specific micro-climates, meticulous harvesting practices, and professional processing methods designed to maximize the cup profile.

A defining characteristic of Sookoo Coffee is its dedication to granular traceability. Rather than aggregating coffee into broad regional lots, the company separates its production by the specific kebele—the smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia—where the cherries were grown. For example, community lots such as those from the Shoondhisa kebele are composed of cherries from smallholder farmers, processed under the direct oversight of the Sookoo team. This level of detail allows roasters and consumers to understand the precise origin of their coffee, moving beyond generic regional labeling.

Sookoo Coffee is also deeply committed to sustainability, operating under the belief that long-term success is dependent on the well-being of the people involved in the supply chain and the health of the surrounding environment. Their farming practices are certified organic, reflecting a focus on environmentally friendly cultivation. By maintaining these standards, the company aims to sustain both the local ecosystem and the livelihoods of the smallholder farmers who contribute to their community lots.

The company’s efforts have garnered significant recognition within the Ethiopian coffee industry. In 2022, Sookoo Coffee was officially recognized as the first-rank winner for high-quality coffee exporting in Ethiopia, an award presented by government authorities. This accolade underscores their standing as a leader in the specialty coffee market and validates their focus on quality control and transparent sourcing practices.

For the specialty coffee industry, Sookoo Coffee represents a modern shift toward professionalized, transparent, and high-quality production in Ethiopia. By bridging the gap between smallholder farmers and the international market through rigorous data collection and processing standards, they provide a model for how traceability can be implemented at the farm level. Their work continues to influence how specialty roasters source and value Ethiopian coffees, emphasizing the importance of producer identity and regional specificity.