Ethiopia’s Coffee Exports Surge, Earning $546 Million in Two Months Toward a $3 Billion Goal

Ethiopia's coffee sector is experiencing a record-breaking start to this fiscal year, having generated an impressive $546 million from over 80,000 tons of coffee exports in just the past two months. This remarkable achievement positions the country firmly on track to meet its ambitious national target of earning $3 billion from 600,000 tons of coffee during the current fiscal year, as reported by the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority.

This strong performance builds on the success of the previous fiscal year, when Ethiopia earned an astonishing $2.26 billion from 470,000 tons of coffee exports. Dr. Adugna Debela, the Director General of the authority, has reiterated this goal, aiming even higher for the nation's most vital agricultural export.

As Africa's leading coffee producer and the world's fifth-largest producer of high-quality Arabica coffee, the industry is crucial to Ethiopia's economy. It supports the livelihoods of millions and contributes significantly to the country's export income.

However, despite this positive momentum, the sector faces critical global and environmental challenges. These include the growing threat of climate change and new regulatory requirements, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Nevertheless, Ethiopia's unparalleled diversity in coffee—a distinction of being the birthplace of Arabica—and its strong, resilient domestic market are expected to help the industry withstand these external pressures.