Episode Details

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Episode Description:

This is Part 3 of a five-part series, The 2026 Ethiopian Coffee Harvest, with Matthew Thornton, founder of Arkena Coffee Market.

In this episode, we examine what happens across the supply chain if the 2026 harvest performs well.

Farmers supplying cherry in the east have already benefited from record prices. Those drying cherry and holding inventory may need to move quickly if demand slows. Exporters are operating in what Matthew describes as a survival season, where quality management and disciplined purchasing matter more than aggressive buying.

In western Ethiopia, bumper production could help offset eastern shortages, particularly in commercial grades. Buyers may shift volume westward to balance books, while specialty lots from the southeast may remain tight.

We also explore a deeper question: are farmers truly gaining market power, or are they simply benefiting from competitive exporter behavior this season? And what happens if expectations rise for 2027 pricing?

This episode maps the winners, the survivors, and the risks beneath a “good” harvest.

Guest Links
Arkena Coffee Market: https://arkenacoffee.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arkenacoffee/

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