Ethiopia opens specialty coffee trading center in China to boost exports, bilateral trade
New Zhuzhou hub aims to deepen Ethiopia–China coffee trade through exhibitions, direct sales channels and cultural promotion.
ETHIOPIA – Ethiopia has opened a new specialty coffee trading center in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, in a move aimed at deepening trade engagement with China and strengthening market access for its coffee exports.
The facility is designed to support coffee exhibitions, commercial transactions and cultural exchange, while creating closer links between Ethiopian exporters and Chinese buyers. It is expected to serve as a platform for promoting Ethiopian specialty coffee and facilitating more direct trade channels.
The inauguration coincided with the Ethiopia-China Coffee Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference, which attracted nearly 300 participants. Attendees included government officials, coffee industry representatives and business leaders from Ethiopia and China’s Hunan Province.
Organised by the Ethio-China Friendship Committee, the conference focused on expanding the presence of Ethiopian coffee in the Chinese market and enhancing broader bilateral economic cooperation. Ethiopia remains one of the world’s leading coffee producers, and China has emerged as a key destination for its exports.
Official figures show that Ethiopia exported 16,300 metric tonnes of coffee to China over the past five months, generating revenues of US$113 million.
Adugna Debela Bote, Director-General of the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority, said the Zhuzhou trading center would help Ethiopian exporters access Chinese consumers more efficiently.
He noted that the use of Zhuzhou’s cross-border e-commerce pilot zones could enable more direct sales while supporting long-term market penetration through consumer engagement and cultural promotion.
The event also featured the signing of cooperation agreements between Ethiopian and Chinese companies. These covered areas including coffee trade, barter trade platforms and new energy development, reflecting the broadening scope of economic ties between the two countries.
Hu Xusheng, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Hunan Provincial People’s Congress, said the initiative highlights Hunan Province’s active role in China-Africa economic cooperation.
He referenced the province’s position as host of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo as part of its engagement with African partners.
Alongside the conference, a trade promotion event was held in Zhuzhou City to introduce Ethiopian specialty coffee to a wider local consumer base. Officials said such activities are intended to build brand recognition and stimulate demand.
China’s importance as a market for Ethiopian coffee has grown rapidly, rising from the 33rd largest destination five years ago to fourth place this year. In 2024 alone, Ethiopia exported more than 35,000 tonnes of coffee to China.
Coffee remains to Ethiopia’s economy, generating US$2.7 billion in export earnings.
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