Ethiopian coffee exports are expected to hit an all-time high

Ethiopia's coffee exports are expected to hit record highs in fiscal year 2014/15 as drought and insect infestation in South America cause coffee production to decline.

The International Coffee Association said in September that global coffee production could not meet market demand this year because of a drought at the beginning of the year that caused Brazil, the world's largest coffee producer, to reduce production. As Africa's largest coffee producer, Ethiopia exported 54,000 tons of coffee worth $231.9 million in the first four months of this fiscal year (July to October). The figures for the same period last year were 51,000 tons and 172.5 million US dollars respectively.

The Ethiopian Coffee Exporters Association said that Ethiopia expects to export 235,000 tons of coffee in the 2014/15 fiscal year, achieving revenue of 862 million US dollars. In fiscal year 2013/14, Ethiopia exported 190,000 tons of coffee (revenue of 841 million US dollars), slightly lower than the export of 193,000 tons in fiscal year 2012/13.

Official figures show that Ethiopia produced 450,000 tonnes of coffee in fiscal year 2013/14 and is expected to produce a similar amount in fiscal year 2014/15.