Moscow: SiltaNews – News Desk
Ethiopia’s coffee sector has undergone a dramatic shift, transforming from a relatively modest export activity into one of the country’s largest economic drivers. This is reported by ENA, a partner of TV BRICS, citing the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture. Minister Addisu Arega said the industry now generates US$2.7 billion in foreign currency and sustains the livelihoods of more than 20 million farmers nationwide. He recalled that only five years ago, coffee exports were far smaller, bringing in limited revenue and averaging under 200,000 tonnes a year.
Arega emphasised that growth has been fuelled by the Green Legacy Initiative, which has overseen the planting of billions of coffee seedlings and expanded both production and export capacity. To strengthen the sector further, the government is encouraging closer links between growers, processors and exporters, aiming to maximise Ethiopia’s competitive edge in the global coffee market. Minister Addisu stressed that the impact is being felt at household level, as coffee farmers enjoy higher incomes, greater savings and new opportunities to expand their businesses.