Addis Ababa – Qahwa World
Ethiopia is strengthening its coffee sector by expanding value-added exports and deepening strategic cooperation with China, particularly in agriculture and coffee, according to senior government officials.
Ethiopia and China are elevating their agricultural cooperation beyond trade into a strategic partnership, with coffee emerging as a central pillar of collaboration. China has rapidly become one of the top destinations for Ethiopian coffee, rising from 33rd to 4th place among export markets within the past five years.
A trade and economic cooperation forum aimed at promoting Ethiopian coffee in the Chinese and global markets was recently held in Jujiao City, China. The forum brought together government officials, buyers, and private-sector stakeholders and resulted in new market linkage agreements.
Officials said the strengthening of cooperation is driven by several factors, including China’s expanding role as a coffee destination, duty-free tariff privileges for African exports, technology and knowledge transfer, growing e-commerce linkages, and Hunan Province’s position as a key trade hub.
State Minister of Agriculture Dr. Efrem Mulleta said Ethiopia is implementing wide-ranging reforms to make its agricultural products competitive in international markets. These reforms focus on increasing production quality and quantity through modern technologies, innovation, and improved agricultural inputs.
He added that the conference in China is part of broader efforts to boost export earnings not only from coffee but also from livestock products, fisheries, and other agricultural outputs.
Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority Director General Dr. Adugna Debela said Ethiopia’s strong focus on coffee productivity, quality, and value addition has brought significant improvements in export performance.
In the last fiscal year alone, Ethiopia exported 470,000 tons of coffee, generating USD 2.6 billion in revenue. To further enhance earnings, the country is prioritizing the export of value-added coffee rather than raw beans.
Dr. Adugna noted that a 15-year coffee sector strategy has been developed and implemented to address structural challenges, improve productivity, and expand market access. Old, low-yield coffee trees have been replaced, while millions of new seedlings have been planted under the Green Legacy Initiative.
He emphasized that quality is critical for global competitiveness and said strict monitoring systems are in place to ensure high standards. Policy reforms have also streamlined the coffee marketing system, reduced losses, and minimized quality deterioration.
A newly approved directive now allows domestically roasted and ground coffee to be sold in foreign currency, creating new opportunities for exporters. As a result, several Ethiopian coffee companies have begun selling value-added products through Ethiopian Airlines, major hotels, and tourist destinations.
Dr. Adugna added that Ethiopian specialty coffee is gaining popularity among Chinese consumers, driven by rising demand and China’s duty-free market access for African countries.
State Minister of Government Communication Services Tesfahun Gobezay said China’s large population and rapidly growing coffee consumption make it a reliable and expanding market for Ethiopian coffee.
He also noted that the recent forum introduced Ethiopian coffee culture—from production to consumption—to Chinese audiences and opened a new chapter for expanding bilateral coffee trade and cooperation.
Officials stressed that Ethiopia’s combined focus on value addition, quality improvement, and strategic partnerships—particularly with China—is expected to further strengthen foreign exchange earnings and create sustainable growth in the coffee sector.
