Ethiopia’s coffee sector is experiencing one of its strongest periods in recent history, including a record figure generated from exports.
Announced at the annual National Coffee Exhibition and Recognition Program in Addis Ababa this week, figures revealed that for the first time in Ethiopia’s history, the country exported 470,000 tons of coffee – generating more than US$2.6 billion in the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal calendar year, which concluded in July 2025.
Officials also announced a national target of exporting 600,000 tons and exceeding US$3 billion in the current fiscal year.
More than nine billion seedlings have been planted over the past seven years, while 700,000 hectares of old coffee farms have been renovated – developments credited with stabilising output and boosting productivity across key producing regions.
Trade Minister Kassahun Gofe says Ethiopia’s domestic economic reforms are reshaping export performance by improving market access, streamlining production, and pushing value-added coffee processing to the forefront.
Director General of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority Dr Adugna Debela says the reforms implemented in recent years have significantly improved coffee quality, consistency, and global demand.
Alongside coffee, tea and spices have also been named as emerging promising sub-sectors for export growth.
