Over the past six months, Ethiopia's coffee sector generated more than USD 571.4 million in international trade revenue, according to the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority.

The Director General, Mr. Shafi Umer, highlighted the authority's efforts to enhance earnings through initiatives focused on product quality, modernizing the marketing chain, and increasing foreign currency revenue. The country exported over 117,955 tons of coffee, with popular varieties such as Sidamo, Nekemte, Yerga Chife, and Jimma.

In related news, the Ministry of Trade and Regional Integration (MoTRI) announced an earning of USD 14.19 million from soybean by-product exports. Primary destinations for these exports were India and the United States, where the soybean by-products are crucial for animal sustenance.

The Ministry of Agriculture, on the other hand, shared positive progress in horticulture product exports during the first six months of the current fiscal year. Abdullah Negash, CEO of Horticulture Development, reported earnings of over USD 298.7 million, demonstrating successful exports of more than 29,288 tons of agricultural products, 46,984 tons of flowers, 21,276 tons of fruits, and 74,336 tons of vegetables and incense products.

Despite surpassing export quantities, there was a decline in foreign currency earnings, particularly in textile and flower products. Collaborative efforts with MoTRI are underway to investigate and address the reasons for this decrease.

Market destinations for Ethiopian horticulture products include New Zealand, European countries, East Africa, and the Middle East while key markets for Ethiopian coffee include Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the U.S., Germany, Japan, and China.

Source: Fana BC and Addis Zemen