ETHIOPIA, known as the birthplace of Arabica coffee, is witnessing a surge in its coffee exports to China as Chinese consumers increasingly appreciate Ethiopian coffee, creating a potential market for the coffee-exporting country. Coffee exporters in Ethiopia are benefiting from the rising coffee market in China, with growing demand and business relations between the two countries.
Abdullah Bagersh, the general manager of S.A. Bagersh Private Limited Company (PLC), highlighted the promising prospects of the Chinese coffee market, stating, ‘Over the last 5 to 10 years, we are seeing growing demand for Ethiopian coffee in China, and that has created one of the most promising coffee markets in the world.’
China’s coffee consumption has experienced remarkable growth, expanding by an average rate of more than 15 percent over the past decade, compared to the international growth rate of 2.2 percent, according to data from the International Coffee Organisation.
Jemal Abrar, coffee quality control deputy manager at Mullege Coffee Export PLC, emphasised the increasing demand for Ethiopian coffee in China and surrounding markets. He said, ‘We participated in the second China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo last year. Since then, we have enjoyed growing market share in China and exploited new market opportunities.’
Gizat Worku, CEO of the Ethiopian Coffee Association, acknowledged the evolving coffee market in China and the rich market potential it offers. ‘China is an emerging market for Ethiopian coffee exporters. Any businessman cannot ignore China whose market potential has turned out to be rich over time,’ Worku said.
Ethiopia’s coffee export volume to China has demonstrated impressive growth, reaching 11,200 tonnes of coffee in the last fiscal year, compared to 4,200 tonnes in the 2019/2020 fiscal year, according to Worku. He expressed optimism that within the next decade, more Ethiopian coffee would find its way to China, and the Ethiopian Coffee Association is prepared to meet the growing demand with the timely delivery of specialty coffee.
Ahadu Woubshet, managing director of Moyee Coffee Roasting PLC, highlighted the expanding coffee drinking culture in China, which has contributed to growing sales volume for Ethiopian coffee in the Chinese market. Woubshet said, ‘I am sure China will give a massive opportunity for Ethiopia as the coffee drinking culture is expanding among its people who also start to understand the rich flavours and varieties of Ethiopian coffee.’
China has become the seventh-largest importer of Ethiopian coffee, and the country’s coffee and tea authority announced that Ethiopia earned $1.1bn between June 2022 and April 2023. Coffee products account for 24 percent of Ethiopia’s export income, demonstrating the significance of the coffee industry to the country’s economy.
