Ethiopian Export Volumes Recover After Logistics Disruption at Djibouti Port

Ethiopian coffee exports recovered strongly in May, reaching 42,300 metric tonnes — a 19% increase on the same month in 2025. The rebound follows months of disruption at Djibouti Port, which serves as the primary transit point for landlocked Ethiopia's outbound cargo. Congestion at the port slowed shipments considerably through the first quarter of 2026, creating delays that affected buyers across multiple market segments.

What Caused the Djibouti Disruption

Port congestion at Djibouti during Q1 2026 stemmed from a combination of vessel scheduling backlogs and handling capacity constraints that have been documented at the port intermittently over recent years. As those bottlenecks eased heading into the second quarter, accumulated export volumes moved through the system more freely. The May figure likely reflects not only current crop movement but also some clearing of shipments that had been delayed earlier in the year. Roasters and importers tracking Ethiopian supply should bear that context in mind when reading the headline number.

Ethiopia holds a position in the specialty coffee market that few origins can match. It is the birthplace of Arabica and continues to produce a range of profiles — from the floral, tea-like naturals of Yirgacheffe to the fruit-forward washed coffees of Guji and Sidama — that command strong interest from specialty roasters globally. At the same time, Ethiopia supplies significant volume to commercial blenders, meaning its export performance has broad market relevance beyond the specialty tier.

What This Means for Australian Roasters

For Australian roasters sourcing Ethiopian coffees, the May recovery is welcome news after a difficult Q1. Supply tightness during the congestion period put pressure on availability, and in some cases led to longer lead times for contracted and spot purchases alike. The easing of that pressure should translate into more reliable shipment timelines as the year progresses, though roasters who delayed purchasing decisions during the disruption may find that competition for sought-after lots — particularly from Yirgacheffe and Guji — remains firm.

A well-positioned roaster would now be reviewing forward coverage on Ethiopian lines, particularly for naturals that drive seasonal menu rotations. With export flow normalising, this is a reasonable moment to confirm shipment schedules with suppliers and assess whether current stock levels adequately bridge any remaining gaps from Q1. Pricing on Ethiopian coffees has not collapsed simply because logistics improved, so expectations should be calibrated accordingly.

Source: Barchart.com