Just 10 Traders Control 35% of Global Coffee Exports – CoffeeTalk

A new dataset examining global coffee supply chains, analyzed by Trase, highlights a significant market concentration, with the top ten trading companies controlling 35% of global exports from ten key coffee-producing nations, and a total of 55% by the top thirty companies. Released on September 1, 2026, the dataset illustrates that Brazil and Vietnam lead coffee supply, contributing 32% and 18% of global exports, respectively. Together with Colombia and Indonesia, these four countries supply two-thirds of the world’s coffee. Notably, the European Union (EU) emerges as the largest coffee market, accounting for 40% of global imports, followed by the United States at 18%.

The dataset suggests that EU deforestation regulations could significantly affect global coffee sourcing practices, especially for nations like Uganda, Honduras, and India, where substantial portions of coffee exports depend on the EU market, ranging from 57% to 58%. Furthermore, with 79% of global coffee imports linked to companies supplying the EU, there is potential for industry-wide shifts towards sustainable practices as these regulations take effect. The prospect of enhanced traceability and compliance could extend beyond the EU, amplifying the impact of the forthcoming deforestation law.

The analysis reveals regional sourcing differences within Indonesia, as the US and EU prefer different coffee types—arabica and robusta—highlighting the importance of understanding regional preferences in coffee supply. The sector faces significant sustainability challenges, including deforestation, human rights issues, and climate vulnerability, with roughly 44% of smallholder farmers living in poverty. This underscores the necessity for improved transparency to bolster accountability and facilitate risk assessments for finance and corporate buyers.

Mark Titley, a researcher at Global Canopy, notes that for the first time, the dataset enables tracing coffee from major production areas to the companies trading it and ultimately to the markets where it is consumed. This increased visibility enhances understanding of the risk and influence within the coffee supply chain, suggesting areas where intervention by buyers, financiers, and governments could significantly affect the livelihoods of millions of farmers affected by these dynamics.

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