Ethiopia’s coffee exports hit US$1.23B in eight months surpassing targets
ETHIOPIA – Ethiopia has generated US$1.226 billion from coffee exports over the past eight months, surpassing both volume and revenue targets, according to the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA).
The East African nation exported more than 257,000 tonnes of coffee in the first eight months of the 2024/2025 Ethiopian fiscal year, exceeding its initial targets by 152% in volume and 134% in value.
The growth is attributed to government-led reforms that have improved coffee production, productivity, and quality, leading to increased export volumes.
Ethiopia is targeting US$2 billion in coffee export revenue by the end of the fiscal year, aiming to ship over 400,000 tonnes of coffee, according to Fana Broadcasting Corporate S.C. (FANA).
The country, widely regarded as the birthplace of Arabica coffee, earned more than US$1.4 billion from coffee exports in the previous fiscal year.
The major export destinations for Ethiopian coffee during the reporting period included Saudi Arabia, Germany, and the United States, followed by Belgium, the Republic of Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and China.
Ethiopia is also expanding its market presence in new regions while strengthening trade relationships with key partners such as the U.S., Germany, Japan, Belgium, and Saudi Arabia.
The surge in Ethiopia’s coffee export earnings comes amid rising global coffee prices, driven by concerns over a smaller Arabica crop in Brazil for the 2025/26 season.
Arabica coffee was among the strongest-performing commodities in 2024, with prices surging by about 70% and reaching a record high of US$4.2995 per pound on February 11, 2025.
However, analysts predict prices could decline by approximately 30% by the end of 2025 as demand stabilizes and Brazil anticipates a bumper crop next year.
ECTA has been actively promoting specialty coffee, which commands premium prices of up to US$5,500 per ton, compared to US$2,800 for commercial-grade coffee.
By capitalizing on the growing demand for high-quality coffee, Ethiopia is positioning itself as a leading supplier in the global market.
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