ECX Becomes First SCAA Certified
Laboratory in Africa
The Ethiopia Commodity Exchange’s (ECX) coffee laboratory became the first in Africa to meet the rigorous quality standards of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA). This internationally sought-after recognition will further enhance Ethiopia’s standing in the international coffee market and increase the value of coffees sold.
The SCAA Lab Inspection & Certification Program exists to promote SCAA’s mission to recognize, promote, and develop specialty coffee. Certified Labs provide an opportunity for consistency in cupping and testing of Q Graders, an objective evaluation of coffee throughout the world.
“With the inception of the Q Program in Ethiopia over the past 8 years, and now with the addition of the SCAA Certified Labs, it is giving the Ethiopian coffee community the tools and the ability to showcase its coffee quality, and enhance the credibility of its supply to the specialty coffee world,” remarks Skip Finley, SCAA board member and lab inspector.
The ECX’s effort to certify their main lab underscores Ethiopia’s commitment to becoming a truly competitive coffee origin for quality, consistency and reliability of supply – a welcome advance in the eyes of discerning buyers. The next step will be to support certification of the ECX regional labs, the CLU lab in Addis and select private exporters.
Photos courtesy of ACDI/VOCA
Members of Q Coffee
The Q Coffee System
The Q Coffee System locates specialty coffees at origin and helps to improve those that have the potential to meet specialty standards. The effect is a common language between buyers and sellers that draws attention to more specialty coffees while creating an infrastructure that gives producers greater opportunities to enter the marketplace and to increase their economic viability. This fall, CQI is pleased to introduce its new addition to the program, Q Robusta.