Ethiopia’s coffee industry is celebrating a major milestone, with exports soaring to 409,605 tons in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year—exceeding targets by an impressive 128,718 tons, according to the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA).
Shafi Umer, Deputy Director General of ECTA, attributed the strong performance to ongoing sectoral reforms and the launch of East Africa’s first coffee tasting center. These developments have significantly bolstered Ethiopia’s market competitiveness and global appeal.
One of the key reforms allowing licensed farmers to directly export their coffee has proven transformative. Over 100 Ethiopian coffee producers have taken advantage of this policy, contributing to a remarkable threefold increase in coffee export revenues in recent years.
The export surge was also driven by Ethiopia’s successful entry into 20 new international markets this year, highlighting a deliberate shift toward market diversification and reducing dependency on traditional buyers.
Shafi emphasized that the sector’s transformation is centered around farmer empowerment, quality enhancement, and global branding. The Green Legacy Initiative, which has seen the planting of more than eight billion coffee seedlings, is playing a critical role in sustaining long-term growth.
Ongoing improvements, including a new national coffee strategy and revised operational guidelines, have further modernized the sector. These changes are creating tangible benefits for coffee growers and strengthening Ethiopia’s reputation in the global coffee trade.
Hussein Ambo, President of the Ethiopian National Coffee Association, echoed these sentiments, noting that Ethiopia is aggressively expanding its international presence. Efforts to promote Ethiopian coffee at national and global events—including the upcoming Ethiopian Coffee Tourism and Exhibition—are helping the country connect with new markets and consumers.
In addition, collaborations with the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority and institutions like Hawassa University are supporting the global recognition of unique coffee varieties such as Sidama. Partnerships with universities in coffee-growing regions are also being deepened to drive innovation, research, and knowledge sharing.
With these combined efforts, Ethiopia’s coffee sector is entering a new era—marked by greater market access, improved quality, and stronger farmer participation in the global value chain.
Source: FanaBC
