ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia has seen a significant increase in coffee export volume and revenue in recent years, said an official with the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA).

"The surge is attributed to ongoing economic reforms undertaken by the government, involving the production of high-quality coffee and boosting productivity," the state-run Ethiopian News Agency quoted Shafi Umar, deputy director general of the ECTA, as saying on Monday.

According to the ECTA official, Ethiopia's coffee exports have expanded rapidly since 2021. During the last Ethiopian fiscal year, which ended on July 7, 2024, Ethiopia exported 298,000 tonnes of coffee, generating 1.43 billion U.S. dollars, and this year the country is set to increase its coffee exports to 400,000 tonnes, aiming to earn over 2 billion dollars.

"Providing high-quality coffee on time increases demand, which in turn boosts both export volume and income," said Umar, noting that the country has exported 178,000 tonnes of coffee in the past five months, representing a 72 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Umar also explained that by streamlining the coffee supply chain, coffee suppliers and exporters are now able to communicate and trade directly, ensuring the timely delivery of quality coffee to international buyers.

Renowned for producing some of the world's highest-quality Arabica coffee beans, Ethiopia is the world's fifth-largest and Africa's largest coffee producer. About 20 million Ethiopians are directly dependent on coffee production for their livelihoods. ■