Addis Ababa, November 18, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia is undertaking major economic and regulatory reforms to position itself as a leading global exporter of pulses and oilseeds, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration Kassahun Gofe said on Monday.
The 14th International Pulses and Oilseeds Conference opened in Addis Ababa under the theme “Strengthen Value Chains: Expanding Global Market.”
In his remarks, Minister Kassahun highlighted Ethiopia’s firm commitment to transforming and modernizing the sector through a wide range of reforms. Key measures include opening the market to foreign investors, transitioning toward a market-driven exchange rate, and prioritizing agro-processing to boost value addition and job creation. These steps, he said, are designed to unlock the country’s substantial yet underutilized potential in pulses and oilseeds.
He also pointed to ongoing efforts to establish a comprehensive national trade regime that integrates trade policy, export development and promotion, and an e-commerce strategy to strengthen the country’s competitiveness.
According to the minister, pulses and oilseeds generated more than 610 million USD of Ethiopia’s 8.3 billion USD total export earnings last fiscal year, accounting for 7.35 percent of national exports.
“We are committed to simplifying our trade system, improving the quality and quantity of export goods, and enhancing competitiveness,” Kassahun said, stressing that current initiatives are designed to build a stronger and more efficient market landscape.
He underscored that Ethiopia’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) will be transformative, making it easier and more cost-effective for Ethiopian goods to access global markets.
Edao Abdi, President of the Ethiopia Pulses and Oilseeds Exporters Association (EPOSEA), said the conference serves as a significant platform for advancing global agrifood systems. It enables stakeholders to share data, strengthen coordination, and collaborate on improved value chain development.
He emphasized the need to support every stage of the value chain—from crop production to export—in order to enhance product quality, sustainability, and traceability. These improvements, he said, are critical for boosting Ethiopia’s competitiveness in both regional and international markets.
Hailemariam Dessalegn, Board Chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and former Ethiopian Prime Minister, noted that pulses and oilseeds are emerging as vital commodities for sustainably feeding a growing global population, especially as consumer demand for healthier plant-based diets accelerates.
He stated that global demand for pulses and oilseeds is rising across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, and is projected to grow from 82 billion USD in 2025 to 143 billion USD by 2035. Africa is experiencing the same trend, with these crops driving economic empowerment and improving livelihoods.
Hailemariam emphasized the role of millions of Ethiopian smallholder farmers contributing to national production of pulses and oilseeds. He added that AGRA, in partnership with the government and private sector, is working to unlock the sector’s full potential by expanding markets, raising farmer incomes, and increasing domestic edible oil production from 2 percent today to 50 percent by 2028.
He concluded by commending the joint efforts of government institutions, private sector actors, and civil society organizations in strengthening and transforming the pulses and oilseeds value chain across Africa.