ETHIOPIA’S coffee exports have contributed a substantial $571 million in revenue over the past six months, as announced by the Ethiopian government on Wednesday. The Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA) revealed that during the first half of the current Ethiopian 2023/24 fiscal year, which commenced on July 8, the country exported 117,955 tons of coffee to the international market.
According to Shafi Oumer, Deputy Director General of ECTA, major destinations for Ethiopia’s coffee during this period included Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the United States, Germany, Japan, and China. However, the authority acknowledged challenges stemming from uncertainties in the global coffee market and ongoing conflicts in coffee-importing nations.
In comparison to the previous fiscal year (2022/23), where Ethiopia earned $1.3bn from the export of around 240,000 tons of coffee, the recent export revenue marked a decrease. Notably, the fiscal year preceding that achieved a record $1.4bn from the export of about 300,000 tons of coffee.
Ethiopia, recognised as the origin of Arabica coffee, stands as one of Africa’s largest producers and exporters of the commodity. The coffee sector is integral to the country’s agriculture-led economy, known for its coffee’s diverse flavours ranging from winy to fruity and chocolatey.
Despite the global demand for Ethiopian coffee, challenges persist. Experts often highlight the lack of value addition in the country’s coffee sector as a significant obstacle, hindering Ethiopia from fully capitalising on its rich coffee resources. The nation predominantly exports raw coffee beans to the international market, limiting the potential benefits from its renowned coffee quality.