Ethiopia registers historic coffee sector gains during annual National Exhibition and Recognition Program

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopia’s coffee sector is experiencing one of its strongest periods in recent history, with national productivity, export volumes, and foreign-exchange earnings showing significant improvement, including a record $2.6 billion generated from exports. This progress was announced during the annual National Coffee Exhibition and Recognition Program held this morning at the Science Museum in Addis Ababa.

The event brought together senior federal officials, regional leaders, producers, exporters, cooperatives, and global partners, underscoring the growing momentum in Ethiopia’s coffee value chain.

Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh and Minister of Trade and Regional Cooperation Kassahun Gofe (PhD) highlighted the progress achieved through large-scale reforms, improved farm management practices, and expanded supply-chain modernization.

Record export performance

For the first time in Ethiopia’s history, the country exported 470,000 tons of coffee, generating over USD 2.6 billion in the 2017 Ethiopian fiscal year (which concluded July 7, 2025). Officials announced a national target of exporting 600,000 tons and exceeding USD 3 billion in the current fiscal year.

More than 9 billion seedlings have been planted over the past seven years, while 700,000 hectares of old coffee farms have been renovated—efforts credited with stabilizing output and boosting productivity across key producing regions.

Productivity rising across the country

National averages have increased from a long-standing 6–7 quintals (600–700 kg) per hectare to 9 quintals (900 kg) today. Model farmers in several regions are consistently achieving 15–20 quintals per hectare, while some modernized estates—utilizing improved varieties and technology—have reported yields as high as 60 quintals per hectare.

Officials emphasized that these gains reflect Ethiopia’s potential to reinforce its position among the world’s leading coffee-producing countries.

Economic reforms strengthening competitiveness

Minister Kassahun Gofe noted that Ethiopia’s domestic economic reforms are reshaping export performance by improving market access, streamlining production, and pushing value-added coffee processing to the forefront.

He encouraged exporters, producers, and cooperatives to prepare for higher standards and deeper global integration as Ethiopia expands its participation in multiple international trade frameworks.

Sector transformation and future priorities

Dr. Adugna Debela, Director General of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, said that reforms implemented in recent years have significantly improved coffee quality, consistency, and global demand. Alongside coffee, tea and spices are also emerging as promising sub-sectors for export growth.

Looking ahead, federal leaders underscored the importance of:

• * Expanding technology-driven production
• 22* Strengthening value-added coffee exports
• * Improving global market promotion
• * Enhancing supply-chain coordination
• * Replicating success in tea and spice value chains
• * Advancing Ethiopia’s long-term green growth strategy
• Recognition of Excellence Across the Value Chain

As part of the program, the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority highlighted multiple award categories designed to acknowledge outstanding contributions across the sector. These included:

• * Green Coffee Exporters
• * Best Coffee Farmers/Producers
• * Coffee Supplier/Exporter (General)
• * Best Coffee Farms and Estates
• * Women in the Coffee Value Chain
• * Cooperative Unions in Coffee Export
• * Value-Added Coffee Exporters
• * Regional Coffee Supply Leaders
• * Primary Coffee Cooperatives
• * Top-Priced Coffee Exporters
• * Supporting Stakeholders and NGOs
• * Tea Development and Expansion
• * Spice Exporters
• * Government and Policy Stakeholders

The categories reflect the sector’s diverse actors—from smallholder farmers and estates to exporters, cooperatives, and global partners—showcasing the collaborative efforts driving Ethiopia’s coffee transformation.

Buna Kurs will continue to monitor developments within the sector and provide dedicated coverage of major industry milestones, stakeholder perspectives, and the evolving national reform agenda shaping Ethiopia’s coffee economy.