Ethiopia registers historic coffee sector gains

Ethiopia’s coffee sector is experiencing one of its strongest periods in recent history, with national productivity, export volumes, and foreign-exchange earnings showing significant improvement, including a record USD $2.6 billion generated from exports. This progress was announced during the annual National Coffee Exhibition and Recognition Program held at the Science Museum in Addis Ababa.

The event brought together senior federal officials, regional leaders, producers, exporters, cooperatives, and global partners, underscoring the growing momentum in Ethiopia’s coffee value chain. Deputy prime minister Temesgen Tiruneh and minister of trade and regional cooperation Kassahun Gofe highlighted the progress achieved through large-scale reforms, improved farm management practices, and expanded supply-chain modernization.

For the first time in Ethiopia’s history, the country exported 470,000 tons of coffee, generating over USD $2.6 billion in the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year (which concluded July 7, 2025). Officials announced a national target of exporting 600,000 tons and exceeding USD $3 billion in the current fiscal year.

More than 9 billion seedlings have been planted over the past seven years, while 700,000 hectares of old coffee farms have been renovated—efforts credited with stabilizing output and boosting productivity across key producing regions.

National averages have increased from a long-standing 6–7 quintals (600–700 kg) per hectare to 9 quintals (900 kg) today. Model farmers in several regions are consistently achieving 15–20 quintals per hectare, while some modernized estates—utilising improved varieties and technology—have reported yields as high as 60 quintals per hectare.

Officials emphasised that these gains reflect Ethiopia’s potential to reinforce its position among the world’s leading coffee-producing countries.

Minister Kassahun Gofe noted that Ethiopia’s domestic economic reforms are reshaping export performance by improving market access, streamlining production, and pushing value-added coffee processing to the forefront. He encouraged exporters, producers, and cooperatives to prepare for higher standards and deeper global integration as Ethiopia expands its participation in multiple international trade frameworks.

Dr. Adugna Debela, director general of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, said that reforms implemented in recent years have significantly improved coffee quality, consistency, and global demand. Alongside coffee, tea and spices are also emerging as promising sub-sectors for export growth. 

The categories reflect the sector’s diverse actors—from smallholder farmers and estates to exporters, cooperatives, and global partners—showcasing the collaborative efforts driving Ethiopia’s coffee transformation.

Buna Kurs will continue to monitor developments within the sector and provide dedicated coverage of major industry milestones, stakeholder perspectives, and the evolving national reform agenda shaping Ethiopia’s coffee economy.