Oromia is the region where coffee first originated and it is by the Oromo people that the usage of coffee as a food started in the beginning of the 5th century. The region is known for its unique native vegetation as well as for being the center of diversity for many different planst species. The region is the birth place of coffee. The Oromo’s use coffee as food, drink, trade, spiritual nourishment and as a tool for peace-keeping.

Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union (OCFCU) is a small farmers owned cooperative union which have members from all coffee growing region in Oromia regional state. OCFCU was established in 1999 to facilitate the direct export of coffee produced by small farmers organized in cooperatives. OCFCU works exclusively in Oromia Regional State, which accounts for more than 65 % of the country’s total coffee growing land. Today there are 240 primary cooperatives and 161,575,474 Capital. OCFCU is a democratic member’s owned business operating under the principles of International Cooperative Alliance and fair trade.

Members of Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union are the growers, processors and suppliers of high quality, organic Arabica coffee for the direct export.

OCFCU exports traceable fair trade and organic certified coffees.

**All images from Creative Commons. Specific Authors: John Pavelka.