Oxfam celebrates as Starbucks signs historic agreement with Ethiopia

Oxfam celebrates a campaign victory as Ethiopia and Starbucks agree to work together to forge a new and fairer path for Ethiopian coffee farmers in the international marketplace.

What' s happened?

Starbucks has agreed to work in the interests of Ethiopian farmers by signing a distribution, marketing and licensing agreement that recognizes Ethiopia' s right to control the use of its specialty coffee brands, Harar, Sidamo, and Yirgacheffe.

Why is it so important?

Ethiopia' s trademarking project could bring millions more in annual revenues. In a country where about 15 million people depend on coffee to get by, that amounts to significantly more money for food, health care, and education.

Starbucks is one of the first to sign a licensing agreement giving Ethiopia the right to control its speciality coffee brands. This success paves the way for Ethiopian coffee farmers to work with other coffee companies to dramatically improve their lives.

How did it happen?

More than 96,000 people, including a broad coalition of student groups, nongovernmental organizations, and Ethiopian community members, contacted Starbucks to urge them to sign the agreement by e-mail, fax, phone and by visiting local stores

Our collective efforts have made a huge difference, and Oxfam would like to thank the tens of thousands who used their voices to encourage Starbucks to do the right thing by Ethiopian coffee farmers.

Campaigning works!

	Coffee agreement bears the mark of Oxfam's campaigning
	Coffee in Ethiopia		Farmers and the retail value of coffee

See also

Campaigners pose as Starbucks employees to rip up cheque for Ethiopian farmers

Oxfam Responds to National Coffee Association and Starbucks (26 October 2006)