The export volume also saw a substantial jump, with Ethiopia shipping out 298,500 tons of coffee beans this year, a 20% rise compared to the previous fiscal year. Notably, June 2024 witnessed a record month for coffee exports, generating 218 million dollars in revenue from 46,000 tons of coffee.
Ethiopia, considered the birthplace of Arabica coffee, is a major player in the global coffee market. Coffee production serves as the backbone of the country’s agriculture-based economy, and its beans are prized for their exceptional quality and diverse flavor profiles, ranging from fruity and winy to chocolatey.
Despite this success, experts point out a key challenge: the lack of value addition within the Ethiopian coffee sector. The majority of coffee is exported as raw beans, limiting the potential for higher profits. Efforts to encourage further processing and finished product exports could unlock even greater economic benefits for Ethiopia and its coffee industry.