Ethiopia records over 12 MT of wheat output in first half of 2026
The achievement, excluding output from irrigated wheat schemes, reflects gains in productivity and expanded cultivation that are central to the country’s National Wheat Program.
ETHIOPIA – Ethiopia’s push toward food self-sufficiency has reached a notable benchmark, with national wheat production totaling 126.69 million quintals (12.67 million tonnes) during the first two quarters of the 2018 Ethiopian calendar (2025-2026), Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced.
The figure, which covers output up to early 2026 and excludes production from irrigated wheat schemes, highlights steady gains in productivity and area expansion under the government-led National Wheat Program.
Speaking about the positive output, the Prime Minister said the programme is focused on improving yields, expanding cultivated land, strengthening seed systems, and supporting smallholder farmers in major grain-producing regions.
“Ethiopia’s National Wheat Program is anchored in the goal to shift the country to a self-sufficient producer,” he said, while commending farmers and encouraging sustained momentum as harvesting continues.
Wheat has been elevated as a strategic crop within Ethiopia’s Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, reflecting its central role in food security and import substitution.
The country has historically relied on significant wheat imports to meet domestic demand, exposing public finances to global price volatility and foreign exchange pressures.
By prioritizing domestic production, policymakers aim to reduce reliance on imports, stabilize local markets, and improve supply reliability for millers and food processors.
Forecasts for the 2025–26 marketing year suggest production could reach a record 6.5 million tonnes, equivalent to about 650 million quintals, supported by improved yields and expanded irrigated acreage.
This production trend has been accompanied by a decline in wheat imports, with some estimates suggesting volumes could fall by about 24 percent even as domestic demand grows due to population expansion and urbanization.
Irrigated cultivation has been a major contributor to Ethiopia’s transforming wheat landscape. The government has aggressively expanded irrigation infrastructure across diverse agro-ecological zones, including parts of Afar and Oromia, to avoid sole dependence on variable rainfall and boost yields.
Agro-industry research also highlights the impact of improved seed varieties and agronomic practices.
For example, initiatives by research partners such as the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) have introduced resilient high-yield wheat varieties to farmers, helping to mitigate disease pressures and boost productivity.
According to the minister, increased production strengthens incomes for smallholder farmers, supports rural employment, and improves linkages with downstream industries such as milling, baking, and food processing. Over time, surplus production could also create scope for regional trade.
Despite progress, demand growth continues to test supply. Analysts note that sustained investment in mechanization, extension services, seed systems, and rural infrastructure will be required to maintain productivity gains.
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