Ethiopia Pursues $3 Billion Coffee Export Goal

March 2, 2018

Ethiopia, widely recognized as the birthplace of coffee, is stepping up its efforts to secure $3 billion in export earnings by shipping 600,000 tons of coffee during the current fiscal year.

Coffee continues to serve as the cornerstone of the nation’s agricultural economy, contributing between 50 and 65 percent of total agricultural export revenues over the past decade.

Globally, Ethiopia ranks as the fourth-largest coffee exporter, following Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia. Strong international demand and steady production growth have reinforced its competitive position in the sector.

In the first six months of the fiscal year, the country exported 200,000 tons of coffee, obtaining $1.35 billion. While revenue surpassed expectations, the volume represented only 74 percent of the planned target, underscoring challenges in meeting supply commitments.

To address these gaps, the government is prioritizing timely delivery to global markets and intensifying efforts to curb product leakage. Government is pledged strict action against those diverting coffee from official channels.

Awareness campaigns are also launched to protect farmers from misleading market information and strengthen Ethiopia’s reputation as a dependable supplier. These measures are important to achieving the ambitious $3 billion target and maintaining Ethiopia’s pivotal role in the global coffee trade.