ETHIOPIA – The South West Ethiopia Coffee, Tea, and Spices Authority has unveiled an ambitious plan to deliver more than 7,000 tons of tea products to the central market during the current budget year, signalling a significant step towards harnessing the potential of Ethiopia’s tea industry for both local consumption and international trade.
Astra Mekuria, the Director General of the Authority, revealed to the Ethiopian Press Agency that the comprehensive plan includes the delivery of 7,026 tons of tea products to the central market.
Notably, a substantial portion of this target, approximately 3,100 tons, has already been successfully delivered. Mekuria emphasized the dedication of the state to the development of the tea sector, particularly focusing on the Kaffa and Sheka Zones known for their extensive tea farms.
“The state has well-focused on tea products, and Kaffa and Sheka Zones are known for their wide tea farms. East African and Ethio-Agriseft (Wushwush tea, more focus) are widely developing tea in Sheka and Kaffa zones respectively,” Mekuria stated.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by tea farmers, especially in accessing viable market opportunities, Mekuria commended their commitment to engaging in contractual agreements with organizations. He highlighted the state’s focus on various potential crops, aiming to benefit both local and international markets.
Although Ethiopia boasts a variety of tea species, Wushwush tea has taken the spotlight, being widely produced at present.
In December 2023, Gumero Tea Factory, a key player in Ethiopia’s tea processing sector, made headlines as it decided to cease distributing its products within the local market.
Gumero Tea Leaf Processing Factory, under the management of Midrok Investment Company, revealed its strategic shift towards exclusively offering its product, Gumero Tea, to international markets.
Solomon Mitiku, the Production Sector Head at Gumero Tea, provided insights, stating, “Gumero Tea boasts a daily production capacity of 88,000 kilograms of processed tea,” emphasizing the company’s commitment to expanding its global presence.
Ethiopia, as a tea exporter, earned an impressive US$738,000 in 2019, ranking as the world’s 83rd-highest exporter of tea.
A research article on Hindawi, Advances in Agriculture, noted that tea was Ethiopia’s 93rd most exported product in the same year.
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