Ethiopia has earned $762.75 million from coffee exports in the first quarter of the current Ethiopian fiscal year.
Speaking at a relevant meeting on Wednesday, Director General of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority Adugna Debela the rising revenue was largely driven by strong demand from European and Middle Eastern buyers, while emerging Asian markets showed early signs of expansion.
Debela said the country exported 113,542 tons of coffee during the first three months of the current year, achieving 75 percent of its volume target but surpassing the projected earnings of $622.5 million by 23 percent.
The director general said the result marks a 47 percent increase in export revenue—equivalent to 243.73 million US dollars—compared with the same period last year.
Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Belgium remained the top destinations, accounting for 18, 14, and 12 percent of total export volumes respectively. Germany imported 20,793 tonnes worth 138.18 million US dollars, Saudi Arabia 16,088 tons worth 102.18 million US dollars, and Belgium 13,910 tonnes worth $93.45 million.
China, the United States, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Italy, and Russia followed as the next seven largest markets. Together, the top ten destinations absorbed 80 percent of Ethiopia’s total export volume and generated 79 percent of its foreign exchange earnings. Compared with the same period last year, shipments to these markets grew three percent in volume and 52 percent in value—reflecting both stronger prices and better compliance with delivery timelines.
While Europe continues to dominate Ethiopia’s coffee trade, the director said new markets in Asia—particularly China, Japan, and South Korea—are beginning to play a larger role. “We have opened new destinations and modernized data systems to improve traceability and monitoring,” Debela said, noting that the government’s market diversification efforts are starting to show results.
MG/abj/APA