AFCA CHAPTER: Ethiopia
About Ethiopia
Ethiopia, located in the Northeastern Horn of Africa, is bordered by Kenya, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, and Djibouti. It is unique among African countries for maintaining its freedom from colonial rule, making it the oldest independent country in Africa.
Ethiopia has a rich history and plays a significant role in the world’s heritage. The Blue Nile originates from Lake Tana in the Northern Highlands, traveling over 400 miles through diverse landscapes before joining the White Nile in Khartoum, Sudan. The first fossil skeleton of early man (Australopithecus) was discovered in the Danakil region of Ethiopia. Notably, coffee, the world’s most widely traded commodity after oil, also originates from this country.
Coffee is believed to have originated in Kaffa province and was introduced to Yemen in the 14th century. The Dutch then transported coffee seedlings to Indonesia in the 17th century. Today, coffee holds ceremonial and ritual significance in many parts of Ethiopia. The country’s diverse population includes ethnic groups such as the Oromo, Amhara, Tigre, Sidama, Shankella, Somali, Afar, and Gurage, who speak a variety of languages. Ethiopia also boasts rich religious diversity, with Muslim, Ethiopian Orthodox, and animist groups.
Agriculture is the backbone of Ethiopia’s economy, contributing to half of the GDP, 85% of exports, and 80% of total employment. Coffee remains critical to the Ethiopian economy, alongside other exports such as qat, gold, leather products, live animals, and oilseeds. With renewed interest in Ethiopia’s cultural and natural history, tourism is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
Ethiopian Coffee
- Varieties: Arabica
- Production: 501,000 MT (2023-2024)
- Export: 298,000 MT (2023-2024)
- Marketing system: Direct sales
- Harvest season: October-December
- Port of shipment: Djibouti, Djibouti
- Export destinations: Worldwide
Data provided by the Ethiopia Coffee & Tea Authority, 2024.
AFCA Chapter
Mr. Gizat Worky Kebede, Ethiopia Chapter Chair
General Manager, Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia