2nd Edition of Agriculture, Forestry, and Horticulture World Conference 2026

Abstract

Ethiopia has significant potential in spices, herbs, and aromatic plants, making it an important source of genetic resources with strong opportunities for improved production and productivity. The country’s rich biodiversity includes crops such as coffee, indigenous spices, and staple food crops like teff and wheat. This diversity is largely driven by Ethiopia’s 33 major agro-ecological zones, along with six traditional classifications: Bereha, Kolla, Woina-Dega, Dega, Wurch, and Kur. These varied environments support the cultivation of a wide range of crops across lowland, midland, and highland areas. Ethiopia’s cultural tradition of using spices in its cuisine further enhances its potential. Ethiopian spicy dishes are increasingly gaining international recognition, creating expanding export opportunities. In addition, research and extension efforts have contributed to improving production systems. To date, around 40 spice varieties have been released for different agro-ecological zones, along with 15 hot pepper varieties and 13 additional varieties introduced by private companies. In recent years, between 330,000 and 500,000 hectares of land have been cultivated with spices, producing approximately 238,000 to 418,000 metric tons annually. Export performance has also been notable, with about 40,000 metric tons of spices exported between 2017 and 2022, generating roughly 40 million USD. These figures highlight both the existing capacity and the untapped potential of the sector, supported by favorable natural resources such as suitable land and relatively low labor costs. Despite these advantages, Ethiopia has not fully benefited from its spice sector potential. Several challenges continue to limit growth, including the limited availability of improved varieties, insufficient access to quality seeds and planting materials, and inadequate attention to value chain development and extension services. Smallholder farmers also face constraints such as poor access to inputs, limited financial services, and underdeveloped market systems. These challenges create a significant gap between the country’s potential and actual performance. Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts to strengthen research, improve input supply systems, enhance market linkages, and expand financial access for farmers. Greater integration among stakeholders across the spice value chain is also essential. This discussion emphasizes the importance of lowland spices such as turmeric, korarima, and black pepper. It highlights their potential, current status, key challenges, and future prospects, while also underscoring the need for stronger policy support and better coordination among value chain actors to drive sustainable development in Ethiopia’s spice sector.