Ethiopian Coffee Varieties

Complete database of coffee varieties released in Ethiopia (1986-2023). Includes 50+ Arabica varieties with official registration data from the Ministry of Agriculture.

43 Total Varieties
36+ Years of Breeding
1986 First Release
2023 Latest Register

Source: Ministry of Agriculture of Ethiopia. (2023). Crop Variety Register

Ethiopian Coffee Breeding Program

Ethiopia's coffee breeding program, based at Jimma Agricultural Research Center (JARC), has released over 50 improved Arabica varieties since 1986, focusing on Coffee Berry Disease (CBD) resistance, high yield, and cup quality.

The varieties are developed from collections made in Ethiopia's forest coffee populations, particularly from areas like Metu Bishari, which provided the foundation for the famous 7400 series (74110, 74112, 74140, 74148, 74158, 74165) that combine CBD resistance with excellent cup quality.

Key Breeding Institutions

  • JARC - Jimma Agricultural Research Center
  • EIAR - Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research
  • WARC - Wolkite Agricultural Research Center
  • OARI - Oromia Agricultural Research Institute
  • MCARC - Melkassa Agricultural Research Center
Visit JARC Website

Filter Varieties

Year Variety Name Pedigree/Parentage Breeder/Maintainer Characteristics Source
2022 Awada CH1
75227 × 1377 (Angafa)
75227 × 1377 (Angafa) WARC/Awada/JARC/EIAR High yield Good cup quality Adapted to mid-altitudes
2022 Rori
75227 × 1681
75227 × 1681 WARC/Awada/JARC/EIAR Disease resistant High yield potential Good bean size
2018 Gera coffee hybrid 1
74158 × 7530
74158 × 7530 Jimma ARC / EIAR CBD resistant High yield Good cup quality
2018 Limu 1
L55/01
L55/01 Jimma ARC/EIAR Limu regional type Spicy notes Medium bean size
2016 EIAR50/CH Landrace selection JARC/EIAR High yield Disease tolerant
2016 Melko-Ibsitu Landrace selection JARC/EIAR Adapted to Jimma zone Good cup profile
2016 Tepi HC5 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR Tepi adapted Good yield stability
2010 Fayate
971
971 JARC/EIAR High yield Good cup quality
2010 Odicha
974
974 JARC/EIAR Widely adapted Consistent yield
2010 Koti
85257
85257 JARC/EIAR Unique cup profile Good adaptation
2010 Haru-1
W66/98
W66/98 JARC/EIAR Haru landrace derivative Good cup quality
2010 Challa
W76/98
W76/98 JARC/EIAR Good yield Adapted to western zones
2010 Sende
W92/98
W92/98 JARC/EIAR Wollega adapted Good bean size
2010 Menesibu
W78/84
W78/84 JARC/EIAR Local adaptation Good cup profile
2010 Harusa
H-674/98
H-674/98 JARC/EIAR/MCARC/OARI Multi-site tested Widely adapted
2010 Mercha-1
H-823/98
H-823/98 JARC/EIAR/MCARC/OARI Broad adaptation Good yield
2010 Bultum
H-857/98
H-857/98 JARC/EIAR/MCARC/ORARI Oromia adapted Good cup quality
2010 Mocha
H-739/98
H-739/98 JARC/EIAR/MCARC/OARI Classic Mocha profile Aromatic
2006 Merdacheriko
8136
8136 JARC/EIAR Cheriko landrace Regional type
2006 Buno-washi 2-05
7416
7416 JARC/EIAR CBD resistant lineage Good adaptation
2006 Yachi-1-05
7576
7576 JARC/EIAR Forest coffee derivative Good cup quality
2006 Wushwush 2-05
7414
7414 JARC/EIAR Wushwush adapted Good yield
2006 Angafa 5-05
1377
1377 JARC/EIAR Angafa landrace Parent of Awada CH1
2002 Gawe
74110 × F-59
74110 × F-59 JARC/EIAR CBD resistant Good cup quality
2002 Me'oftu
F-35
F-35 JARC/EIAR Good cup profile Adapted
2002 Geisha Landrace selection JARC/EIAR Exceptional cup quality Floral notes Tea-like High market value
1997 MELKO CH-2 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR High yield Good adaptation
1997 ABABUNA Landrace selection JARC/EIAR Local adaptation Good cup quality
1997 DESSU Landrace selection JARC/EIAR Good yield Adapted
1997 CATIMOR J-21 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR CLR resistant Compact growth High yield
1997 CATIMOR J-19 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR CLR resistant High yield Compact
1989 75227 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR Parent material Used in Awada CH1 Good combining ability
1989 754 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR Early selection Foundation material
1989 7454 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR Forest derivative Good adaptation
1988 744 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR Forest coffee Foundation material
1988 740 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR Early selection Adapted
1988 74148 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR CBD resistant High yield Good cup quality
1987 74110 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR CBD resistant High yield Good cup quality Widely planted
1987 74112 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR CBD resistant Large beans Good cup quality
1987 74140 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR CBD resistant Exceptional cup quality Medium yield
1987 74158 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR CBD resistant Very high yield Large beans
1987 74165 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR CBD resistant Good adaptation Consistent yield
1986 741 Landrace selection JARC/EIAR Foundation material Forest derivative CBD resistance source
Awada CH1
75227 × 1377 (Angafa)
2022 WARC/Awada/JARC/EIAR...
High yield Good cup quality Adapted to mid-altitudes
Rori
75227 × 1681
2022 WARC/Awada/JARC/EIAR...
Disease resistant High yield potential Good bean size
Gera coffee hybrid 1
74158 × 7530
2018 Jimma ARC / EIAR...
CBD resistant High yield Good cup quality
Limu 1
L55/01
2018 Jimma ARC/EIAR...
Limu regional type Spicy notes Medium bean size
EIAR50/CH
2016 JARC/EIAR...
High yield Disease tolerant
Melko-Ibsitu
2016 JARC/EIAR...
Adapted to Jimma zone Good cup profile
Tepi HC5
2016 JARC/EIAR...
Tepi adapted Good yield stability
Fayate
971
2010 JARC/EIAR...
High yield Good cup quality
Odicha
974
2010 JARC/EIAR...
Widely adapted Consistent yield
Koti
85257
2010 JARC/EIAR...
Unique cup profile Good adaptation
Haru-1
W66/98
2010 JARC/EIAR...
Haru landrace derivative Good cup quality
Challa
W76/98
2010 JARC/EIAR...
Good yield Adapted to western zones
Sende
W92/98
2010 JARC/EIAR...
Wollega adapted Good bean size
Menesibu
W78/84
2010 JARC/EIAR...
Local adaptation Good cup profile
Harusa
H-674/98
2010 JARC/EIAR/MCARC/OARI...
Multi-site tested Widely adapted
Mercha-1
H-823/98
2010 JARC/EIAR/MCARC/OARI...
Broad adaptation Good yield
Bultum
H-857/98
2010 JARC/EIAR/MCARC/ORAR...
Oromia adapted Good cup quality
Mocha
H-739/98
2010 JARC/EIAR/MCARC/OARI...
Classic Mocha profile Aromatic
Merdacheriko
8136
2006 JARC/EIAR...
Cheriko landrace Regional type
Buno-washi 2-05
7416
2006 JARC/EIAR...
CBD resistant lineage Good adaptation
Yachi-1-05
7576
2006 JARC/EIAR...
Forest coffee derivative Good cup quality
Wushwush 2-05
7414
2006 JARC/EIAR...
Wushwush adapted Good yield
Angafa 5-05
1377
2006 JARC/EIAR...
Angafa landrace Parent of Awada CH1
Gawe
74110 × F-59
2002 JARC/EIAR...
CBD resistant Good cup quality
Me'oftu
F-35
2002 JARC/EIAR...
Good cup profile Adapted
Geisha
2002 JARC/EIAR...
Exceptional cup quality Floral notes Tea-like
MELKO CH-2
1997 JARC/EIAR...
High yield Good adaptation
ABABUNA
1997 JARC/EIAR...
Local adaptation Good cup quality
DESSU
1997 JARC/EIAR...
Good yield Adapted
CATIMOR J-21
1997 JARC/EIAR...
CLR resistant Compact growth High yield
CATIMOR J-19
1997 JARC/EIAR...
CLR resistant High yield Compact
75227
1989 JARC/EIAR...
Parent material Used in Awada CH1 Good combining ability
754
1989 JARC/EIAR...
Early selection Foundation material
7454
1989 JARC/EIAR...
Forest derivative Good adaptation
744
1988 JARC/EIAR...
Forest coffee Foundation material
740
1988 JARC/EIAR...
Early selection Adapted
74148
1988 JARC/EIAR...
CBD resistant High yield Good cup quality
74110
1987 JARC/EIAR...
CBD resistant High yield Good cup quality
74112
1987 JARC/EIAR...
CBD resistant Large beans Good cup quality
74140
1987 JARC/EIAR...
CBD resistant Exceptional cup quality Medium yield
74158
1987 JARC/EIAR...
CBD resistant Very high yield Large beans
74165
1987 JARC/EIAR...
CBD resistant Good adaptation Consistent yield
741
1986 JARC/EIAR...
Foundation material Forest derivative CBD resistance source

Historical Development

Evolution of coffee breeding in Ethiopia by decade

1980s

75227

Important parent line used in hybrid breeding...

1989 JARC/EIAR
754

Selection from the 700 series...

1989 JARC/EIAR
7454

Selection from forest populations...

1989 JARC/EIAR
744

Early selection from forest populations...

1988 JARC/EIAR
740

Selection from the 700 series...

1988 JARC/EIAR
74148

CBD-resistant selection from Metu Bishari forest...

1988 JARC/EIAR
74110

CBD-resistant variety from Metu Bishari forest. One of Ethiopia's most important commercial varietie...

1987 JARC/EIAR
74112

CBD-resistant selection from Metu Bishari with large bean size...

1987 JARC/EIAR
74140

CBD-resistant selection with exceptional cup quality...

1987 JARC/EIAR
74158

CBD-resistant variety with very high yield potential...

1987 JARC/EIAR
74165

CBD-resistant selection from Metu Bishari forest...

1987 JARC/EIAR
741

Early selection from forest populations, foundation for later varieties...

1986 JARC/EIAR

1990s

MELKO CH-2

Selection from Melko research station...

1997 JARC/EIAR
ABABUNA

Named variety with local adaptation...

1997 JARC/EIAR
DESSU

Selection with desirable characteristics...

1997 JARC/EIAR
CATIMOR J-21

Catimor line (Timor Hybrid × Caturra) introduced for disease resistance...

1997 JARC/EIAR
CATIMOR J-19

Catimor line with disease resistance...

1997 JARC/EIAR

2000s

Merdacheriko
8136

Selection from Cheriko area...

2006 JARC/EIAR
Buno-washi 2-05
7416

Selection from the 7400 series...

2006 JARC/EIAR
Yachi-1-05
7576

Selection from Yachi forest population...

2006 JARC/EIAR
Wushwush 2-05
7414

Selection from Wushwush area...

2006 JARC/EIAR
Angafa 5-05
1377

Angafa landrace selection, used in hybrid breeding...

2006 JARC/EIAR
Gawe
74110 × F-59

Hybrid combining CBD resistance with desirable traits...

2002 JARC/EIAR
Me'oftu
F-35

Selection with distinctive characteristics...

2002 JARC/EIAR
Geisha

Ethiopian landrace that became world-famous for exceptional cup quality. Original source of Panama G...

2002 JARC/EIAR

2010s

Gera coffee hybrid 1
74158 × 7530

Hybrid variety combining CBD resistance from 74158 with desirable traits from 7530...

2018 Jimma ARC / EIAR
Limu 1
L55/01

Selection from Limu region with distinctive cup profile...

2018 Jimma ARC/EIAR
EIAR50/CH

Improved variety developed at Jimma Agricultural Research Center...

2016 JARC/EIAR
Melko-Ibsitu

Variety named after Melko research station and Ibsitu area...

2016 JARC/EIAR
Tepi HC5

Selection from Tepi area, adapted to southwestern Ethiopia...

2016 JARC/EIAR
Fayate
971

High-yielding variety with good adaptation...

2010 JARC/EIAR
Odicha
974

Popular variety in western Ethiopia...

2010 JARC/EIAR
Koti
85257

Selection with distinctive characteristics...

2010 JARC/EIAR
Haru-1
W66/98

Selection from Haru area, western Ethiopia...

2010 JARC/EIAR
Challa
W76/98

Selection from western Ethiopia...

2010 JARC/EIAR
Sende
W92/98

Selection from Wollega area...

2010 JARC/EIAR
Menesibu
W78/84

Selection from Menesibu area...

2010 JARC/EIAR
Harusa
H-674/98

Collaborative release from multiple centers...

2010 JARC/EIAR/MCARC/OARI
Mercha-1
H-823/98

Released for multiple regions...

2010 JARC/EIAR/MCARC/OARI
Bultum
H-857/98

Selection from Oromia region...

2010 JARC/EIAR/MCARC/ORARI
Mocha
H-739/98

Named after historic Mocha trade route...

2010 JARC/EIAR/MCARC/OARI

2020s

Awada CH1
75227 × 1377 (Angafa)

High-yielding hybrid combining traits from 75227 and Angafa landrace...

2022 WARC/Awada/JARC/EIAR
Rori
75227 × 1681

New variety developed for high yield and disease resistance...

2022 WARC/Awada/JARC/EIAR

Landmark Ethiopian Varieties

74110

Released 1987

The most widely planted improved variety in Ethiopia. CBD resistant with excellent cup quality. Selected from Metu Bishari forest.

WCR Profile

74158

Released 1987

High-yielding CBD-resistant variety with large beans. One of the most productive selections from the Metu Bishari population.

WCR Profile

Geisha

Released 2002

Ethiopian landrace that became world-famous in Panama. Known for exceptional floral and tea-like cup characteristics.

WCR Profile

External Resources

How to cite: Wehenet Coffee Knowledge Hub. (2025). Ethiopian Coffee Varieties Database. Based on Ministry of Agriculture of Ethiopia. (2023). Crop Variety Register. Retrieved from https://wehenet.com/coffee-varieties.php