China’s Coffee Consumption Growth Reshapes Global Market Trends – CoffeeTalk

China, a country historically associated with tea, is undergoing a significant shift in beverage preferences as coffee consumption continues to rise at an unprecedented rate. Over the past decade, coffee imports into China have tripled, with forecasts from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) projecting consumption to reach 6.3 million bags (60 kilograms per bag) by 2024/2025. This marks a dramatic increase from just 2 million bags in 2014/2015.

The rise in coffee consumption aligns with broader economic and societal changes in China. Over the last 25 years, the country has experienced a nine-fold increase in gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, lifting approximately 745 million people out of poverty, according to the French Ministry of Finance. These shifts have introduced new consumption patterns, including a growing demand for coffee, which was not traditionally associated with Chinese culture.

While tea remains the dominant beverage in China—featuring premium varieties like pu-erh from Yunnan Province—coffee is gaining traction among younger, urban consumers. According to agricultural publication *Réussir*, coffee consumption has surged by nearly 150% over the past decade. Notably, Chinese consumers are increasingly favoring high-quality specialty coffee, mirroring trends observed in Europe. Specialty-grade coffee now accounts for 60% of China’s imports.

This growing demand comes at a time when global coffee markets are under pressure. Green coffee prices have risen by almost 80% over the past year due to severe droughts in key producing regions like Brazil. These climatic disruptions have significantly impacted both Robusta and Arabica harvests, tightening global supply chains. Despite these challenges, Europe—the world’s largest coffee consumer—is expected to maintain stable supplies due to its diversified sourcing strategies and mature market infrastructure.

However, as global coffee consumption is projected to grow by 5.1 million bags to reach 168.1 million bags for the 2024/2025 season, competition for high-quality beans is intensifying. Both Europe and China rely heavily on Brazil for their coffee supply, underscoring the importance of addressing climate-related risks to ensure long-term market stability.

For industry professionals, these developments highlight both opportunities and challenges. The rapid growth of China’s coffee market offers new avenues for expansion, particularly for specialty coffee producers. At the same time, rising costs and supply chain disruptions emphasize the need for resilient sourcing strategies and sustainable practices to navigate an increasingly volatile market landscape.

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