Ethiopia’s total export earnings increased by 64% to $563.4 million in the first quarter of the 2010/11 fiscal year, lifted by higher leather and coffee sales, according to government trade data.

In 2009 the Ministry of Trade and Industry said Ethiopia earned $343 million in the first quarter (July-Sept) of 2009/10. Addis Ababa projects $3 billion in export revenue for 2010/11 (June-July) after a resurgence of coffee sales and diversification into new commodities earned $2 billion in the previous year.

Leather and leathergoods earned $18.7 million in first quarter of 2010/11 from $11 million in the same period last year. Ethiopia aims to boost leather sales by focusing on finished goods instead of raw exports.

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