Heleph coffee Exporter
About us
Our History: From the Tears of the Sky to Global Cups
The Sacred Roots – Ethiopia's Gift
The Family Foundation (1970s–1980s)
Our real legacy began in 1976, when our grandfather, Tulu Kankura, planted his first coffee plantation in Harbegona village (now part of Bona Zuria, Sidama Region). A man deeply tied to the soil, he saw coffee not merely as a crop, but as a promise for future generations. In 1986, his son—our father Ayele Tulu—inherited portions of the family farms and established early washing stations. For decades, Ayele dedicated himself to meticulous processing, supplying high-quality cherries to local markets and the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX). Through droughts, market challenges, and shifting seasons, he upheld an unwavering commitment: quality endures when the heart is devoted.
Building Resilience (1990s–2010s)
Ayele Tulu’s work laid the groundwork for what would become one of Ethiopia’s most respected family operations. His washing station in Bona Zuria became a hub for precise, shade-grown cultivation and hand-sorted excellence. Over 30+ years, the family processed and supplied exceptional coffees, earning recognition for consistency and care. Tsegab Ayele Tulu, born and raised in Hawassa (Sidama’s capital), grew up immersed in this tradition. After studying engineering and gaining experience in coffee from 2011 onward, he witnessed the limitations of traditional supply chains—where farmers often received minimum prices despite premium potential. This sparked a vision: direct, traceable export to reward quality and uplift communities.
(2018–Present)
The Birth of Heleph
In 2018, following Ethiopia's export regulation reforms (allowing more direct international trade), Tsegab founded Heleph Coffee Exporter. The name "Heleph"—meaning "change" or "transition" in Hebrew—symbolizes our mission: bridging ancestral wisdom with modern innovation to transform lives from farm to cup. Building on Ayele's established washing stations (including the renowned Ayele Tulu station), Heleph expanded rapidly.
Today, we own and operate 12+ washing stations across premier regions: Sidama (with strong focus on Bona Zuria at 2,000–2,300m+ altitudes), Yirgacheffe, and Guji. We partner with over 600 smallholder outgrowers—many women-led—purchasing cherries at premium prices, ensuring fair livelihoods, traceability, and sustainable practices. Innovations like honey, natural, washed, and anaerobic processes highlight our engineering precision, blended with traditional knowledge.
From grandfather Tulu's first seeds to Ayele's steadfast persistence and Tsegab's visionary bridge to the world, Heleph stands as a guardian of Ethiopia's sacred bean. We are proud to be a leading traceable producer and exporter, delivering single-origin specialty coffees to global partners while uplifting thousands in our communities.
Our Enduring Legacy
Every bean carries generations of stories—from divine tears to family hands in the soil, through resilient harvests to your morning ritual. Heleph Coffee is more than commerce; it is blood, heritage, and song. Taste the change. Honor the gift.
Key Milestones
- 1976: Grandfather Tulu plants the first plantation in Harbegona (Bona Zuria).
- 1986: Ayele Tulu inherits farms and establishes washing stations.
- 2011+: Family enters the industry, building expertise.
- 2018: Heleph Coffee Exporter was founded by Tsegab Ayele Tulu.
- Today: 12+ washing stations, 600+ outgrowers, global partnerships, focus on transparency & innovation.
OUR TEAM SPIRIT AND CORPORATION
Building a sense of unity, trust, and shared purpose among employees is essential for improving overall performance and the success of our organization. When everyone feels their viewpoints and opinions are valued and supported, it fosters a strong and united team.
- Enhanced communication,
- Boosted collaboration.
- improved job satisfaction, and
- proactive problem-solving.
In a corporate setting, teamwork is like a set of gears in a well-oiled machine. Each gear has its own distinct characteristics, but when they work together seamlessly, they can achieve great things. Likewise, accomplishing a company's projects relies heavily on all team members' collaboration, synchronization, and coordination.
In order to foster a culture of teamwork and collaboration within our organization, we implement the following measures:
- Encourage open communication.
- Recognize and reward team successes.
- Provide opportunities for social interaction.
- Promote shared purpose and values.
Implementing these steps can create a work environment that supports, values, and motivates employees. This is essential for improving their relationship with the workplace, increasing engagement, and positively impacting overall performance.
Mission
To source, process, and export premium Ethiopian Arabica coffee with uncompromising quality, complete traceability, and ethical sustainability, forging enduring partnerships built on reliability, integrity, and excellence.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis.
Vision
To become the world’s most trusted exporter of premium Ethiopian Arabica coffee, delivering unparalleled quality from farm to cup while fostering sustainable prosperity for farmers, partners, and coffee enthusiasts worldwide.
Our Commitment to Quality
From Farm to Export
At Heleph Coffee, we uphold rigorous control across the entire supply chain to deliver exceptional coffee that meets the highest international standards.
- At our washing stations, every cherry batch undergoes meticulous processing and continuous monitoring to preserve its distinctive terroir and flavor potential.
- In our state-of-the-art warehouse, beans are meticulously sorted, graded, and prepared to ensure uniformity, purity, and optimal condition.
Prior to export, each lot is rigorously cupped and evaluated by expert Q-graders against our strict internal benchmarks.
Meet the team for communication
Meet the Team at Heleph Coffee
Manager
tsegab@helephcoffee.com
“In a family rooted in Ethiopian traditions, I’ve seen the transformative power of coffee. At Heleph Coffee, we empower farmers to build resilient futures, bridging local potential with international opportunities.”
Zerihun Fekede
Importer Catalyst Trade Offers a Fresh Vision for Ethiopian Coffee
Tsion Getachew
Bethelhem Workineh
Tsion Getachew
“Handling compliance and documentation, I make sure our exports meet global standards. It’s rewarding to see how precise paperwork enables farmers’ success on the world stage.”
Mikcheal Simon
logistic@helephcoffee.com
“Coordinating shipments and bookings, I optimize our supply chain for reliability. From Addis Ababa to global ports, we deliver quality coffee while minimizing environmental impact.”
Additional Team Members:
Tinsae tariku
Messay Worku
Dagim Birhanu
quality@helephcoffee.com
“Ensuring every bean meets premium standards through rigorous testing. My role bridges farmers’ hard work with buyers’ expectations.”
Bire abebe
Tigist hailu
Sebele
Tesnim
Finance Manager
“Managing finances to support growth and fair payments to farmers. Transparency in our books reflects our commitment to ethical business.”
Araresa Negari
We are a growing team passionate about Ethiopia’s coffee heritage. Contact us at info@helephcoffee.com for collaborations.
Mekdes
Human Resource and Business Relations Coordinator
HR@helephcoffee.com
“Working directly with cooperatives, I provide training and support to enhance farming techniques and livelihoods.”
Our Farm
The Home For Our Farm.
Nature and Sustainable.
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