Export Performance and Determinants in Ethiopia

Abstract In this study analysis of factors affecting export supply of Ethiopia, during the period 1981 – 2004, have been made using co integration analysis. Data trend reveals that Ethiopian export performance was highly volatile during the period, on average merchandise exports have been growing at 7% per annum, while manufacturing exports were growing at 4% per annum. The trend also reveals that Ethiopia’s export sector is mainly dominated by few primary commodities, where manufacturing exports account for less than 15% of merchandise exports on average. The two models estimated depict that merchandise export volumes are significantly influenced by gross capital formation (proxy for production capacity) and share of trade in GDP (proxy for trade liberalization) while other variables; terms of trade, real effective exchange rate, foreign income, and foreign direct investment were found to be insignificant. Manufacturing exports equation reveals an interesting result, manufacturing exports supply was found to be negatively & significantly affected by foreign income. Similar to merchandise export results, manufacturing exports were also found to be positively affected by gross capital formation. Terms of trade, real effective exchange rate, share of trade in GDP, and foreign direct investment were found to be insignificant. The study concludes with recommendations to increase share of manufactured exports and diversify export base of the country.