The London Coffee Festival is one of the most important specialty coffee events in the world. It brings together roasters, green buyers, café owners, and coffee professionals from across the UK, Europe, and beyond making it one of the strongest gateways into Western coffee markets.
Coffee Trip participated in the London Coffee Festival last year and saw first hand how important it is for Ethiopian coffee to be present in this space, not only through intermediaries, but directly, visibly, and professionally. This year’s program is built around that idea: creating a strong Ethiopian presence in London and opening real market access for exporters and producers.
Ethiopian coffee is widely admired for its flavor and heritage, but many exporters still struggle to build direct relationships with Western buyers. Most coffee is traded through middlemen, limiting margins and weakening Ethiopia’s ability to build long-term trust in the market. This program is designed to change that by placing Ethiopian exporters directly in front of roasters, importers, and decision makers.
Ideal for Coffee Professionals Who Want to
■ Access the European specialty coffee market
■ Connect with roasters, importers, cafe operators, and distributors
■ Showcase Ethiopian coffee origins and establish new business relationships
■ Learn from workshops, cupping sessions, and innovation showcases
■ Explore opportunities for collaboration, branding, and export growth
Program Overview
May 13 — Arrival & Orientation
Participants arrive in London, settle into their hotel, and receive a short briefing on the UK specialty coffee market and how to use the festival strategically.
Participants arrive in London, settle into their hotel, and receive a short briefing on the UK specialty coffee market and how to use the festival strategically.
May 14 & 15 — London Coffee Festival (Full Trade Days)
Two full days at the London Coffee Festival. Participants will take part in cuppings, tastings, workshops, and trade sessions, meet roasters and buyers, and present Ethiopian coffees in a professional, international setting.
Two full days at the London Coffee Festival. Participants will take part in cuppings, tastings, workshops, and trade sessions, meet roasters and buyers, and present Ethiopian coffees in a professional, international setting.
May 16 — London Specialty Coffee Experience
A curated day visiting London roasters, cafés, and cupping spaces to understand how specialty coffee is evaluated, roasted, branded, and sold in Western markets, combined with a guided look at key cultural and historical landmarks.
A curated day visiting London roasters, cafés, and cupping spaces to understand how specialty coffee is evaluated, roasted, branded, and sold in Western markets, combined with a guided look at key cultural and historical landmarks.
May 17 — Free Day & Departure
Time to explore London, follow up with contacts, and depart in the evening.
Time to explore London, follow up with contacts, and depart in the evening.
Coffee Trip supports participants with visa guidance, travel coordination, and on-ground assistance, so exporters can focus on building relationships and creating opportunities in the Western coffee market.
This is about more than attending a festival, it is about ensuring Ethiopian coffee is present, visible, and taken seriously in one of the world’s most influential coffee cities.
Let’s showcase the best of Ethiopian coffee to the world together in London 2026.
