Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority reported strong coffee production and export figures for the first nine months of the 2016 fiscal year. Over 174,596 tons of coffee were exported, generating revenue of USD 835,230,000.

Deputy Director General, Mr. Shafi Umer, highlighted this as an improvement over previous years, crediting reforms aimed at boosting coffee income. While last year's earnings surpassed USD 1.33 billion, the current target stands at USD 1.75 billion. However, challenges such as falling international coffee prices and port issues in the Red Sea threaten this goal.

Authorities are exploring alternative transportation routes to address port congestion and promoting specialty coffee exports to mitigate market fluctuations. Additionally, efforts are underway to diversify export destinations, targeting countries such as China, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates, which are emerging as significant importers.

Streamlining the supply chain is another focus, with initiatives to connect producers directly with consumers and reforms to organize farmers for direct foreign market access. These measures aim to ensure product quality and further strengthen Ethiopia's coffee industry.

Source: Addis Zemen