Ethiopia Registers Historic Coffee Sector Gains as National Reform Efforts Take Hold
Addis Ababa — Qahwa World
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, according to data and statements released during the National Coffee Exhibition and Recognition Program held at the Science Museum in Addis Ababa.
Senior federal officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh and Minister of Trade and Regional Cooperation Kassahun Gofe (PhD), highlighted the progress achieved through large-scale reforms, improved farm management, and expanded supply-chain modernization.
Record Export Performance
For the first time, Ethiopia exported 470,000 tons of coffee, generating more than USD 2.6 billion in the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year. Officials noted that the country is now targeting 600,000 tons of exports and revenues exceeding USD 3 billion in the current fiscal year.
Over the past seven years, more than 9 billion new seedlings have been planted nationwide, while 700,000 hectares of old coffee plantations have undergone renovation—efforts credited with lifting productivity and stabilizing output.
Productivity Rising Across the Country
National yields have increased from a long-standing average of 6–7 quintals per hectare to 9 quintals, with model farmers in several regions consistently achieving 15–20 quintals per hectare.
In some modernized farms, yields have climbed as high as 60 quintals per hectare, reflecting the impact of new technologies and improved practices.
Officials emphasized that such gains demonstrate Ethiopia’s potential to strengthen its position among the world’s leading coffee-producing nations.
Economic Reforms and Market Competitiveness
Minister Kassahun Gofe stated that Ethiopia’s domestic economic reforms are reshaping the performance of key export sectors, including coffee. He noted that ongoing work to streamline production, expand market access, and introduce value-added processing is central to sustaining momentum.
He encouraged producers and exporters to prepare for higher standards and global integration, as Ethiopia advances its participation in multiple international trade frameworks.
Sector Transformation and Future Priorities
Dr. Adugna Debela, Director General of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, said that reforms implemented in recent years have brought meaningful improvements to quality, consistency, and global demand. Coffee has remained the backbone of Ethiopia’s export economy, while tea and spices have also begun to show promising growth opportunities.
Looking ahead, federal leaders underscored the importance of:
* Scaling technology-driven production systems
* Expanding value-added coffee exports
* Strengthening market promotion and supply-chain coordination
* Replicating gains in the tea and spice sectors
* Advancing Ethiopia’s long-term green growth strategy
Buna Kurs will continue monitoring developments in the sector and providing coverage of major industry milestones, stakeholder perspectives, and the evolving national reform agenda shaping Ethiopia’s coffee economy.
