Top 10 coffee importing countries

The coffee bean is the second most traded commodity in the world.

Due to specific production requirements, coffee farming only occurs in certain geographical regions. However, it's traded worldwide and consumed heavily all over the world.

That fact probably doesn't surprise you. If you've traveled, you know you can get a cup of coffee no matter where you are.

In 2020, experts estimated the market value of coffee to be a whopping US$465.9 Billion2, falling in second place only behind gasoline3.

So, joining the international coffee trade seems like a no-brainer. And opening a seller account with Alibaba.com to join the global trade makes this decision even easier.

We're diving into the top 10 coffee importing countries in 2022 to help you become successful entrepreneurs in this sector.

Table of Contents

Overview of the Global Market for Coffee Imports

• Top 10 Coffee Import Countries
• Popular Types of Coffee Beans
• 4 Benefits of Importing Coffee from Other Countries
• Import coffee with the biggest exporters in Brazil

Overview of the Global Market for Coffee Imports

The global market for coffee imports is enormous — and it's growing every year.

In 2021, 9 million tons of coffee were traded globally1. This is a massive increase from an average of 5 million tons in 2001. That's right – the industry has almost doubled in two decades.

Coffee's trade value is so high because of its popularity, the world's cafe culture, the production of coffee appliances, and the plethora of coffee products traded worldwide.

Some of the products offered within the coffee industry are coffee beans, instant coffee, espresso coffee, coffee pods, and more.

When you consider that consumers worldwide drink 2.6 billion cups of coffee every day, you can see the success of these products.

Many different markets and regions engage in the coffee trade. Latin America is responsible for 70% of the world's coffee production, followed by Asia with 20% and Africa with 10%1. Brazil is the largest coffee exporter in the world and you can access the exporters by CLICKING HERE .

So, now we know which countries are exporting coffee. But which ones are importing it?

Top 10 Coffee Import Countries

We've made a list of the top 10 coffee importing countries and paired it with the data we've found about their coffee markets, according to Statista's main import countries for coffee worldwide report.

Let’s break down coffee imports by country.

1. The United States

In the first place, we have the United States of America. The USA imported US$5.67 million worth of coffee in 2020.

Due to weather and climate, the USA is limited in producing its own coffee. This explains a large number of imported goods!

And with 62% of Americans drinking coffee every day5, it needs to come from somewhere. The great demand and the lack of local production make America the top coffee importer in the world.

2. Germany

Germany places second among the world’s top coffee import countries. In 2020, Germany imported US$3.38 million of coffee, making it Europe's leading coffee import country.

And specifically, Germany is Europe’s largest importer of green coffee beans6. Germany has a large coffee roasting industry, making them a prominent coffee exporter.

The German coffee market often imports from Brazil, Vietnam, and Honduras.

3. France

In third place worldwide, and second place in Europe, we have France. France's coffee import value reached US$2.88 million in 2020.

France boasts a mature coffee market with a rich history of coffee consumption. Like Germany, they are known for green coffee bean imports and a productive coffee roasting industry.

And within the French coffee industry, certification and sustainability are significant trends that consumers look for and value highly.

4. Italy

Italy placed fourth overall, bringing in US$1.5 million in coffee products in 2020. This fact may not be surprising, as coffee is a known part of Italian culture.

Sipping on a hot espresso in a tiny cup may come to mind when you think about food and drink in Italy.

Italian espresso is a famous coffee product around the world, and because of their significant exports, they are also a major importer of coffee

5. Canada

The second North American country on our list is Canada. Canada imported US$1.2 million of coffee products in 2020.

Canada placing fifth isn’t surprising once you learn that coffee and tap water were Canada’s most commonly consumed beverages in 2020 and that 72% of Canadians drink coffee daily.

6. Netherlands

The Netherlands imported US$1.18 million of coffee in 2020, making it sixth in the world for coffee imports.

Like the other European countries making this list, the Netherlands has a large coffee import and export market. With high consumption and production rates, the Dutch are not only drinking coffee but roasting and exporting it too!

7. Japan

The first Asian country on our list is Japan, which imported US$1.17 million in coffee in 2020.

The increased coffee consumption in Japan over recent years signals a shift in preference from tea to coffee. With few local producers, Japan relies heavily on importing coffee products worldwide. Japan imports coffee, most notably from Vietnam, and has a big taste for instant coffee products.

8. Spain

Spain was the world's 8th biggest coffee importer in 2020, with an import value of $1.01 million.

Spain is known for a good cup of coffee, and for good reason: a whopping 87% of the Spanish population drink coffee, and 70% consume coffee daily.

Differing vastly from Japan, instant coffee products do not top the market here. Interestingly, Spain is becoming the world's biggest market for decaffeinated coffee beans

9. The United Kingdom

Due to their well-known love of tea, you may not expect the United Kingdom to make our list of top 10 coffee importers.

But alas, in 9th place was the United Kingdom. The UK’s coffee import value reached US$1.00 million in 2020.

And interestingly enough, the UK differs vastly from the other European coffee markets we’ve looked at, with higher consumption of instant coffee.

10. Switzerland

Last but not least for coffee import value in 2020 is Switzerland. Switzerland brought in US$855,000, placing it 10th in the world.

Like other European countries, the Switzerland market values certified, ethical, and sustainable coffee products. It also values organic coffee.

Popular Types of Coffee Beans

Two main types of coffee beans traded globally are Robusta and Arabica.

Arabica is the world’s most popular bean, making up 60% of the world’s coffee12. Many of the top 10 importers we just mentioned prefer the Arabica bean.

Germany, the USA, and Italy import Arabica more than any other bean. Arabica is also best for those with organic preferences, so France and Switzerland favor Arabica as well.

Espresso drinkers favor Robusta due to its flavor, quality, and caffeine levels. Because of this, the countries that prefer espresso coffee import large amounts of Robusta beans, such as Italy.

4 Advantages of Sourcing Coffee Imports from International Markets

When contemplating the initiation of a coffee enterprise, the imperative task of establishing a robust product supply chain comes to the forefront. The strategic decision of sourcing coffee products through international imports becomes particularly compelling contingent upon the geographical location of your business operations.

Upon successfully executing the importation of your exceptional coffee products, you position yourself to cater to an enthusiastic consumer base, facilitated by the expansive range of suppliers featured in the COFFEE EXPORTERS GUIDE .

Outlined below are fundamental rationales underscoring the desirability of importing coffee from foreign nations:

Diverse Flavor Profiles: Embracing coffee imports from diverse geographical origins affords the opportunity to offer a comprehensive range of flavor profiles to discerning clientele. The unique terroirs and cultivation techniques inherent to different coffee-growing regions contribute to an array of flavor nuances, elevating the sensory experience for aficionados.

Quality and Specialization: Certain coffee-producing nations have garnered global recognition for their specialized expertise in cultivating specific coffee varietals. By importing these coveted beans, your enterprise can assure patrons of consistently high quality and distinct characteristics that resonate with distinct preferences.

Seasonal Variability Mitigation: International coffee sourcing enables a strategic buffer against the challenges posed by seasonal fluctuations in coffee production. By diversifying sourcing locations, your business can maintain a stable inventory throughout the year, reducing vulnerability to supply chain disruptions.

Competitive Cost Structures: Exploring coffee imports from countries with favorable cost structures can confer a competitive advantage by optimizing production costs. This, in turn, empowers your business to offer competitive pricing while upholding profitability margins.

In summation, the decision to engage in coffee imports from overseas origins can engender a plethora of strategic advantages, encompassing the enrichment of product diversity, preservation of consistent quality, resilience against seasonal constraints, and optimization of cost dynamics. Access to the COFFEE SUPPLIER GUIDE further amplifies your reach, affording a robust platform for showcasing and distributing your imported coffee offerings to a global clientele.

Import coffee with the biggest exporters in Brazil

Mello Commodity selected more than 50 coffee exporting companies from Brazil to facilitate your access to the biggest and best suppliers in the world.

The Coffee Suppliers/Exporters Guide is an easy-to-navigate digital book in PDF format. Once you confirm the purchase you will receive an email with login and password to download. Just download the file and access it on your cell phone, tablet or computer. That's simple!

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Inside the guide you will find:

>>> Coffee company name

>>> address

>>> Website, email and contact telephone numbers

>>> Types of coffee exported by the company

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