Ethiopia’s coffee exports are increasing on government incentive and support, according to a Trade Ministry official.

Shimelis Arega told Anadolu Agency on January 03, 2016, Ethiopia has exported 184,000 tons in 2014 worth USD 780 million.

“And coffee exports will increase 45 percent to over 260,000 tons this year,” Shimelis stated. “Incentives will help achieve this goal, and they will include marketing linkage, loans for coffee exporters and processors, and the promotion of the Arabica coffee that the country exports at trade shows abroad.”

Arega also said that Ethiopia is supporting companies to enlarge coffee farms and modernize processing.
He said the government of Ethiopia will take disciplinary measures on the illegal coffee trade.

“The ministry is training smallholder coffee farmers in improved harvesting, storage and preservation,” said Arega, emphasizing the training add value to the coffee.

Ethiopian coffee exporters market share in Germany is 18 percent and 16 percent in Saudi Arabia, Arega pointed out.

The ministry’s data indicates that coffee exports contribute 30 percent of Ethiopia’s hard-currency earnings.

Source: Anadoulu Agency