Ethiopia's tea industry has experienced a growth spurt in the 2023/24 fiscal year, with exports exceeding 1,142 tons and generating over USD 2 million in revenue. This represents a substantial increase of 292 tons compared to the previous year.

The Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA) hailed the achievement but underscored that the sector's full potential remains untapped. Despite exporting 50,000 tons of tealeaf annually, the industry could achieve much more with increased investment.

To boost production, 460 million tea saplings were planted across 30,000 hectares in the 2023/24 fiscal year. However, ECTA's Communication Director, Sahlemariam Gebremedin, noted that low investor participation is a major obstacle to realizing the industry's full potential.

Source: The Ethiopian Herald