Ethiopia's wheat harvest has grown substantially, reaching 6.5 million tonnes in the 2025/26 season and an expected 6.8 million tonnes in 2026/27, according to the source material. This represents more than a tripling of output since 2005, when production stood at around 2.2 million tonnes. The surge reflects government efforts to reduce import reliance through expanded irrigated agriculture.
Despite this growth, demand is outpacing supply. Consumption reached 7.95 million tonnes in 2025/26 and is forecast at 8.2 million tonnes for 2026/27, leaving a gap that requires 1.4 to 1.5 million tonnes of annual imports. For a landlocked country, importing grain presents logistical challenges, with supplies arriving through Djibouti's port. Since November 2024, all imports have required authorization from the National Bank.
Russia has been one of Ethiopia's two largest wheat suppliers in recent years. Between the 2021/22 season and 2025/26, Russian exporters supplied approximately 891,000 tonnes of wheat. In the first nine months of 2025, Russia exported around 200,000 tonnes of agricultural products to Ethiopia, valued at more than $48 million, with wheat comprising 99.9 percent of that volume. These supplies help stabilize retail prices and ensure food availability.
Beyond grain, mineral fertilizers form a crucial part of bilateral trade and have supported Ethiopia's agricultural expansion. Meanwhile, trade patterns are becoming more balanced, with Ethiopian coffee exports to Russia increasing 2.6-fold to $123.3 million, or 18,300 tonnes, in 2025. The source material indicates future cooperation could involve developing domestic food processing capacity and introducing drought-resistant wheat varieties.