Buy unroasted coffee beans: a sourcing guide for roasters and wholesalers
Where to buy unroasted green coffee beans wholesale: sourcing channels compared, what Grade 1 means, and how to buy direct from Ethiopia with EUDR compliance built in.
"Unroasted coffee beans" and "raw coffee beans" are the same as what the trade calls "green coffee": coffee seeds that have been harvested, processed, dried, and milled but not yet roasted. Buying unroasted coffee beans in wholesale quantities is the starting point for any serious coffee business.
What are unroasted coffee beans?
Unroasted coffee beans are the seeds of the coffee cherry, processed and dried at origin, but not yet subjected to heat. In the green state, coffee is shelf-stable for 12 to 24 months in correct storage conditions. For roasters, buying unroasted allows complete control over the roast profile, source-level pricing, and direct relationship with the supply chain.
Where to buy unroasted coffee beans wholesale
1. Direct from origin exporters Buying direct from an exporter in the producing country gives you the shortest supply chain, the lowest FOB price, and the highest traceability. Ethiopian Arabica is an ECTA-licensed exporter based in Addis Ababa, selling Grade 1 Ethiopian Arabica direct to roasters and importers worldwide. Minimum orders are 50 bags (3,000 kg). Transit times from Ethiopia (via Djibouti) to the EU or US are 6 to 12 weeks.
2. Green coffee importers Importers buy from origin exporters, handle freight and customs clearance, warehouse the coffee domestically, and sell to roasters in smaller quantities. The cost is an additional margin on top of the FOB price, typically USD 0.30 to USD 1.00 per pound.
3. Spot market traders Spot traders hold inventory from various sources and sell on short notice. Traceability is usually limited to country of origin.
How to buy unroasted Ethiopian coffee beans direct: step by step
Step 1: Choose your origin and processing method
Ethiopian Arabica supplies unroasted green coffee from five origins: Yirgacheffe, Sidama, Guji, Harrar, and Jimma. Each origin has both washed and natural process lots available. See the washed vs natural guide for a fuller comparison.
Step 2: Request a green sample
Contact Ethiopian Arabica at info@premium-ethiopian-coffee.com or WhatsApp +251 911 598 197 with your origin preference and required volume. Ethiopian Arabica will send a pre-shipment green sample (100 to 200g) with cupping notes by courier, drawn from the specific lot you are considering.
Step 3: Confirm the grade and cup score
Grade 1 Ethiopian Arabica: 0 to 3 defects per 300g sample, SCA 85 or above. Cup scores are confirmed by in-house cupping and shared with buyers as part of the lot specification.
Step 4: Get a FOB price and compare landed cost
Ethiopian Arabica prices unroasted coffee FOB Djibouti. Your freight forwarder quotes ocean freight from Djibouti to your destination port. The total of FOB + freight + destination handling is your landed cost per pound.
Step 5: Place the order and arrange freight
Once you approve the sample and agree on price, Ethiopian Arabica issues a sales contract. Standard payment terms: 30% deposit on signing, 70% against shipping documents. Documentation provided with every shipment: ICO Certificate of Origin, phytosanitary certificate, EUDR due diligence statement, commercial invoice, and packing list.
What is the price of unroasted Ethiopian coffee beans?
Ethiopian Arabica prices Grade 1 unroasted Ethiopian Arabica FOB Djibouti on request. Grade 1 specialty Ethiopian Arabica typically trades at a meaningful premium above the C-market for commodity Arabica, reflecting the cup quality, traceability, and compliance documentation. For current FOB pricing and lot availability, contact info@premium-ethiopian-coffee.com.
What to look for when buying unroasted coffee beans
- Grade documentation: Ask for defect count documentation for the specific lot. Grade 1 Ethiopian: 0 to 3 defects per 300g.
- Cup score and tasting notes: SCA cupping scores verify profile quality beyond the physical grade.
- Processing method and harvest year: New-crop lots are preferred over old-crop for optimal flavour development.
- EUDR compliance documentation: For EU-bound shipments, GPS coordinates and a due diligence statement are required. Ethiopian Arabica provides this as standard.
- Cooperative-level traceability: Required for EUDR and valuable for specialty marketing.
Minimum orders for buying unroasted coffee beans
The minimum order from Ethiopian Arabica is 50 bags at 60 kg each, totalling 3,000 kg. A standard 20-foot container holds 275 to 300 bags (16,500 to 18,000 kg). For roasters consuming less than 3,000 kg per order, a domestic green coffee importer is likely more practical until your volume grows.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between green coffee beans and raw coffee beans?
Green coffee and raw coffee refer to the same product: unroasted coffee seeds. The terms are used interchangeably in the trade.
How long do unroasted coffee beans last?
Properly stored unroasted green coffee beans have a shelf life of 12 to 24 months. They should be kept cool, dry, and in breathable bags (grain-pro bags inside jute sacks).
Can I buy a small quantity of unroasted Ethiopian coffee to trial before ordering a container?
Yes. Ethiopian Arabica provides pre-shipment green samples (100 to 200g) for cupping before any commercial order. For small volumes below the direct-sourcing minimum, a domestic importer may suit your needs until your volume grows.
Are unroasted Ethiopian coffee beans organic?
Ethiopian Arabica does not claim organic certification unless a specific lot has been certified by an accredited body. Do not assume organic status from descriptions of traditional Ethiopian farming methods.
How do I request unroasted Ethiopian coffee beans from Ethiopian Arabica?
Contact Ethiopian Arabica at info@premium-ethiopian-coffee.com or WhatsApp +251 911 598 197. Share your preferred origin, processing method (washed or natural), required volume, and any cup score minimums.
For Grade 1 unroasted Ethiopian Arabica direct from origin, contact Ethiopian Arabica at info@premium-ethiopian-coffee.com or +251 911 598 197. Pre-shipment samples, FOB Djibouti pricing, and EUDR documentation included as standard.
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