International aid agency Oxfam welcomed Tuesday’s meeting between the coffee-giant Starbucks´ CEO Jim Donald and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia.
However, Oxfam urged the international coffee giant to stop dragging its feet before the holidays, and instead recognize Ethiopia’s ownership of its coffee names.
Apart from the significant step of Starbucks entering a dialogue, no agreement was reached at Tuesday’s meeting.
For over a year, Ethiopia has sought a dialogue with Starbucks about supporting the country’s efforts to return more of the price of its coffees in world markets to the farmers who produce them by seeking trademark rights for Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe coffees.
Ethiopia’s farmers produce some of the finest and most sought after coffees in the world.
Including coffees that have been sold under Starbucks’ Black Apron Exclusives line for up to $26 a pound.
The farmers receive only 5 to 10 percent of the retail price, in a country where millions live on just a dollar a day.
Despite its much-publicized commitment to farming communities, however, Starbucks has continually rejected Ethiopia’s requests to resolve the trademark issue.
Trademark rights for Ethiopia’s coffees have been recognized in several European countries, as well as Canada and Japan.
Kilde: www.oxfam.org
