Coffee Export Troubleshooting & Operational FAQ

1. Overview & Business Value#

This comprehensive operational guide details the architecture, business workflows, configuration parameters, and execution steps for Coffee Export Troubleshooting & Operational FAQ within SmartERP.

Troubleshooting solutions for high moisture alerts, cupping score disputes, ECTA floor price rejections, and shipping delays.

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2. Prerequisites & Security Access Groups#

• Required Modules: smarterp_commodity_export, smarterp_agri_traceability
• Security Groups:
  • Export Logistics Officer (Technical ID: smarterp_export.group_export_user)
  • Coffee Quality Lab Grader (Q-Grader) (Technical ID: smarterp_export.group_export_qa)
  • Export Commercial Director (Technical ID: smarterp_export.group_export_manager)
• Master Data Dependencies: Coffee origination zones (Yirgacheffe, Sidama, Guji, Jimma, Harar), ECX contracts, washing stations, export container lots, and NBE 50/50 FX retention accounts.

3. Step-by-Step Configuration & Execution#

Step 1: Navigating to the Module Interface#

1. Log into your SmartERP instance at https://smarterp.et/odoo.
2. Open the main App Switcher (grid icon in the top-left corner).
3. Select the Coffee Export app icon.
4. From the top navigation bar, open Coffee Export → Origination → Lots / Grading / Contracts / Shipping Documents.

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Step 2: Creating and Parameterizing Records#

1. Click the New button in the top-left control panel.
2. Complete the mandatory fields in the record form:
   • Export Contract Reference (Mandatory): Registered international sales contract number approved by ECTA
   • Origin & Washing Station (Mandatory): Traceable regional washing or hulling station
   • Grade & Screen Size (Mandatory): Specialty Grade 1/2 or Commercial Grade classification with moisture %
   • Contract Quantity (Metric Tons) (Mandatory): Volume in standard 60 kg export jute bags
3. Configure optional operational parameters and localized tags as required:
   • Cupping Score & Sensory Profile (Optional): Certified Q-grader sensory score (acidity, body, floral notes)
   • Port of Loading & Discharge (Optional): Inland dry port (Modjo) to discharge port (Djibouti/Rotterdam)
   • NBE FX Retention Account (Optional): Designated commercial bank foreign exchange account
4. Click the Save icon in the control bar to commit the record.

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Step 3: Validating and Processing Transactions#

• State Transitions: Execute operational state progression (Origination Batch → Cupping & Grading → Contract Confirmed → Processing / Bagging → Customs Cleared → Shipped).
• Ledger & System Impact: Shipment confirmation recognizes export revenue in foreign currency (USD/EUR), debits export receivables, and computes statutory 50/50 NBE foreign exchange retention entries.
• Audit Verification: Automated recording of author ID, timestamp, and immutable revision history.

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Common Issues & Resolutions#

1. ECTA Rejects Export Contract Due to "Below Minimum Floor Price"#

• Symptoms: ECTA export licensing portal blocks contract registration with code PRICE_BELOW_MINIMUM.
• Root Cause: The contracted FOB price is lower than the mandatory weekly floor price published by ECTA for that specific origin and grade.
• Resolution:
  1. Check Coffee Export > Market Intelligence > ECTA Floor Prices.
  2. Review the published floor price for the current week.
  3. Amend the sales contract price or negotiate an amended differential with the foreign buyer before re-submitting to the ECTA portal.

2. Moisture Content Exceeds 11.5% at Port Stuffing#

• Symptoms: Pre-shipment quality inspection at Mojo Dry Port reports green coffee moisture at 12.3%, threatening sea transit molding.
• Resolution:
  1. Do NOT stuff the container (violates maritime carriage standards).
  2. Return lot to the dry mill for controlled mechanical re-drying or conditioning.
  3. Once re-conditioned to 11.0% moisture, re-test with calibrated moisture analyzer and upload revised certificate.

4. Advanced Configuration Points#

• Automated Actions & Scheduled Tasks (Crons):
  • Export: Track NBE 50/50 FX retention account expiration (smarterp_export.ir_cron_fx_retention): Runs weekly to monitor statutory 30-day conversion windows
  • Traceability: Monitor container transit milestones (smarterp_export.ir_cron_container_tracking): Runs daily to update Modjo dry port to Djibouti customs handoffs
• Custom Print Templates & Reports:
  • ECTA Coffee Quality & Traceability Inspection Dossier
  • Export Commercial Invoice, Packing List & Certificate of Origin
  • Bole Cargo / Modjo Dry Port Multimodal Shipping Manifest
  • NBE Foreign Exchange Retention & Commercial Bank Allocation Slip
• Multi-Company Rules: Record-level security isolation under Company 1 (Ashewa Technology Solutions S.C.), preventing cross-company ledger leakage across parent and subsidiary legal entities.

5. Comprehensive Troubleshooting Matrix#