Ethiopia Has Potential to Earn Up Additional 5.8 Billion USD From Coffee Export

Addis Ababa March 21/2024 (ENA) Ethiopia has potential to earn up to 5.8 billion USD additional income from coffee resources per year, according to Coffee Biodiversity researcher, Tadesse Woldemariam.

Ethiopia is widely considered the birthplace of coffee, and its wealth has led it to be called the bank of coffee biodiversity among African countries.

However, despite suitable ecosystem for the sector, the country is not yet benefiting from the sector as expected.

Coffee Biodiversity Researcher Tadesse Woldemariam told ENA that Ethiopia's vast coffee biodiversity enables the country to improving the quality and productivity of coffee.

Noting that there are many genetic resources of forest coffee in coffee growing areas, he said that these resources are pivotal to preserve the coffee species.

He stressed modernizing genetic laboratory machine is essential to improve the quality of coffee apart from preventing coffee diseases and combating climate change.   

“If Ethiopia's coffee biodiversity can be protected and made to provide sustainable benefits, it can generate an additional income of up to 5.8 billion USD per year,” he elaborated.

To this end, putting in place proper mechanism for the protection of coffee's biodiversity is imperative, he said.

The researcher pointed out through the activities carried out in collaboration with UNESCO, the Yayu, Kefa, Sheko and Messenger coffee biodiversity forest has been protected. 

 Coffee farmers need be provided with technology and expertise to preserve the natural taste and quality of coffee, he noted.

As the country generates huge foreign currency from coffee export, research-driven activities must be strengthened to protect coffee biodiversity and ecosystem for sustainable use, the researcher stressed.

The nation planned to earn 1.75 billion USD by exporting 350,000 of coffee in this Ethiopia fiscal year.