Coffee (known as "coffee" in English) is a beverage made from roasted and ground coffee beans. As one of the world's three major beverages, along with cocoa and tea, it is a widely consumed drink globally.

Coffee cultivation in China is primarily concentrated in Yunnan Province, especially in Dehong Prefecture and the Pu'er region, with Dehong known as the "birthplace of Chinese coffee." Besides Yunnan, Taiwan is also a coffee-growing region in China.

In China, coffee cultivation mainly focuses on Robusta coffee, which is mostly used as a raw material for instant coffee. High-quality Arabica coffee, on the other hand, is grown in specific high-altitude areas. In recent years, with the growth of the domestic coffee consumption market, China's coffee industry has been gradually developing. However, compared to major international coffee producers like Brazil, China's international competitiveness still has room for improvement.

According to research, China's coffee production accounts for a very small percentage of the global total, approximately only 1%, while its consumption accounts for 2.5% of the global total. Due to the domestic production's inability to meet the rapidly growing demand, China has had to rely on imports to fill the gap, and this demand is growing at an annual rate of approximately 10%-73%. This growth is mainly attributed to the expansion of the middle class, young people's acceptance of coffee culture, and the pursuit of a high-quality lifestyle.

According to customs data, since 2017, China's coffee imports and exports have gradually disrupted the original trade balance, with imports increasing year by year and exports decreasing. From 2018 to June 2024, China's cumulative coffee export value reached $1.024 billion, with a total export volume of 333,100 tons. Meanwhile, the cumulative import value reached $3.502 billion, with a total import volume of 725,000 tons.

In 2023 alone, the import value was $800 million, up 11.02% year-on-year, with an import volume of 153,900 tons, up 23.04%. From January to June 2024, China's cumulative coffee import value was $553 million, up 84.48% year-on-year, with an import volume of 121,100 tons, up 132.12%.

As one of the fastest-growing coffee consumption markets globally, China's coffee import volume continues to rise, reflecting the strong demand for coffee products among domestic consumers. This trend also highlights the significant gap between domestic production and consumption, as well as China's important role in the global coffee supply chain.

According to customs data, China's coffee imports primarily come from Brazil, Ethiopia, Colombia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Italy, Guatemala, the United States, Indonesia, and Switzerland. These countries have historically been the main suppliers of coffee and coffee products to China. The imported coffee products include green coffee beans, roasted coffee beans, and instant coffee, catering to various consumption scenarios and needs. Although China's coffee exports are relatively small, the main export destinations include Germany, the United States, Vietnam, Russia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Belgium, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, primarily targeting the European market. Exported products mainly consist of specialty coffee beans or processed coffee products, such as premium coffee beans, which often carry a higher added value.

With the rising awareness of health, options such as low-sugar, additive-free, and organic coffee are becoming increasingly popular. At the same time, consumer attention to sustainable production and social responsibility is growing, prompting brands to focus more on the sustainability and transparency of their supply chains.

Overall, China's coffee market is undergoing a shift from quantity to quality. As consumers' demands for higher-quality coffee increase, the market will become more segmented, with a growing demand for high-quality, specialized coffee products. Additionally, international trade relations, exchange rate fluctuations, and the stability of the global supply chain will continue to influence the landscape of China's coffee imports and exports.

Guomaotong, as China's first data company, can provide customs data from over 80 countries since 2010, enabling precise online analysis of import and export market distribution, detailed transaction information of import and export enterprises, specific volume and price analysis, supply cycles, and more. This provides reliable data for major foreign trade enterprises and industry consulting firms.

(This article is an original creation by Guomao Tong. Please indicate the source when reposting.)