Ethiopia’s Coffee Export Soars by over 128,000 Tons, Strengthening Int’l Market Competitiveness

Addis Ababa, June 30, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s coffee exports have recorded a remarkable surge, surpassing targets by 128,718 tons and expanding into 20 new international markets within the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, according to the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA).

Deputy Director General of ECTA, Shafi Umer, highlighted that strategic reforms and the launch of East Africa’s first coffee tasting center played a pivotal role in Ethiopia exporting an impressive 409,605 tons of coffee—far surpassing the planned 280,887 tons.

Mr. Shafi emphasized that a significant growth has also seen Ethiopia expand its global reach, now exporting to 20 new countries this year.

According to the deputy director general, a pivotal reform allowing direct export rights for licensed farmers has empowered over 100 Ethiopian coffee growers to independently export their produce, contributing to a substantial tripling of the nation’s coffee export earnings in recent years.

This success is further supported by the first coffee tasting center in East Africa, which, along with the planting of over eight billion coffee seedlings under the Green Legacy Initiative, has significantly enhanced quality and attracted increased international interest, he underscored.

The coffee sector is undergoing a transformative period, marked by significant strides in farmer empowerment and an aggressive strategy to diversify its global market reach, he noted, adding, which has directly been benefiting the farmers at the heart of its renowned production.

Shafi further explained that recent reforms, including a national coffee strategy, structural improvements, and revised guidelines, have laid the groundwork for tangible progress, most notably in empowering coffee growers, ENA reported today.

Hussein Ambo, President of the Ethiopian National Coffee Association, also emphasized that Ethiopia is aggressively expanding its global footprint. The nation has successfully begun exporting coffee to 20 new countries this year, a testament to its strategy of diversifying market destinations and reducing reliance on traditional buyers.

This expansion is supported by collaborative efforts to promote Ethiopian coffee through national and international events, including the planned Ethiopian Coffee Tourism and Exhibition in 2025, the president added.

He further elaborated that in supporting the sector, ongoing collaborations with the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority and Hawassa University aim to promote the distinct flavor of Sidama coffee internationally.

Additionally, partnerships with universities in coffee-growing areas are being strengthened to support production through research and knowledge transfer, ensuring the longevity and quality of the country’s coffee heritage, he stated.