Ethiopia’s coffee export revenue hits record US$1.5B in nine months

ETHIOPIA – Ethiopia has recorded an all-time high of US$1.5 billion in coffee export revenue during the past nine months, according to the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA).  

The achievement marks a historic milestone in both export volume and earnings since the country began exporting coffee to international markets. 

ECTA Director General, Adugna Debela, announced that the country had initially targeted US$1.094 billion in revenue by exporting 201,959 tonnes of coffee during the stated period. 

However, Ethiopia exceeded expectations by exporting 299,607 tonnes, securing 138 percent of the planned revenue. 

Adugna attributed the remarkable performance to reform initiatives introduced by the government, which focused on improving quality, increasing production, and enhancing productivity in the coffee sector.  

These efforts have contributed to the sector’s consistent growth and elevated its competitiveness in the global market. 

Ethiopia, widely recognized as the birthplace of Arabica coffee, has strengthened its market presence in key destinations.  

The top 10 importing countries—Saudi Arabia, Germany, the United States, Belgium, China, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Italy, and Jordan—accounted for 77 percent of total export volume and 78 percent of revenue. 

In the previous fiscal year, the country earned more than US$1.4 billion from coffee exports. 

For the current fiscal year, Ethiopia aims to generate US$2 billion in revenue by exporting over 400,000 tonnes of coffee.  

The government has also focused on expanding its reach into new markets while reinforcing trade ties with long-standing partners such as the U.S., Germany, Japan, Belgium, and Saudi Arabia. 

ECTA continues to promote Ethiopian specialty coffee, which commands premium prices of up to US$5,500 per tonne, compared to US$2,800 for commercial-grade coffee. 

Further support came in March 2025 when the Italian government pledged €10 million (US$10.91 million) through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) to bolster Ethiopia’s coffee value chain.  

Launched on March 18 in Addis Ababa, the initiative aims to improve competitiveness, sustainability, and financial resilience amid global market shifts and evolving trade regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation. 

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