Abstract

This research examines export performance of oilseeds in Ethiopia using macroeconomic time series data from annual reports of NBE (National Bank of Ethiopia) over the period 1974 to 2009. Analyses of oilseeds export performance through time divulges that the country has not yet diversified the commodity composition and structure of its export, in that its export earnings depend on only a few agricultural products. The findings of the study reveal that the country needs to break away from it’s heavily depends on traditional export commodities for which it is a marginal exporter, thus a price taker. The results also show that the estimated coefficients of real output (Ry) and nominal exchange rate (e) are statistically significant. This discloses that real output and nominal exchange rate have positive brunt on the export performance of oilseeds in Ethiopia.

Key words: Africa, Ethiopia, export performance, oilseeds.