Coffee Import 2024: Market Surge

Global Coffee Import Market Landscape

In global trade, Coffee is tracked under HS Code 0901, covering unroasted and roasted coffee beans. As a highly traded soft commodity, it serves as a critical raw material for the global food and beverage industry, with demand driven by consumer consumption and premiumization trends.

Strategic Insights

• Market Momentum: Global coffee imports surged in 2024, climbing from $1.85B in January to $2.54B in December, reflecting resilient demand in a market valued at $269.27B.
• Geographic Power: Supply is hyper-concentrated, with Uganda controlling 94.26% of export value, while demand is led by Italy, Germany, and the US, forming a clear South-to-North trade flow.
• Supply Chain Structure: Dominated by giants—33% of exporters control 83% of export value, and 50% of buyers secure 79% of import spend, creating high supplier dependency risks.

Global Coffee Import Trend in 2024 Whole Year

Global Coffee imports demonstrated robust activity in 2024, driven by the expanding market size estimated at USD 269.27 billion [Grandview Research].

• Aggregate Performance: Total import value showed strong momentum, reaching significant levels across observed months, reflecting sustained global demand.
• Period Dynamics: Import value fluctuated but trended upward, climbing from $1.85 billion in January to $2.54 billion in December, indicating resilient trade flows.

Table: Coffee Import Trend in 2024 Whole Year

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Coffee Global Market Structure: Supply vs. Demand

Top Origin Countries & Production Hubs

• Dominant Supplier: Uganda controls 94.26% of export value ($395.62B), indicating extreme pricing power despite ranking 4th in quantity.
• Market Structure: Highly monopolistic. Uganda's value share dwarfs #2 Vietnam (1.34%) and #3 Colombia (0.89%). Top 3 exporters hold 96.49% of global export value.
• Volume Challengers: Colombia ships the largest physical volume (19.83% quantity share), while Vietnam leads shipment frequency (13.03%). Both trail Uganda in value dominance.

Top Destination Countries & Consumption Markets

• Key Buyers: Italy ($143.46B, 34.19% value share) and Germany ($40.36B, 9.62%) lead imports. The US dominates physical volume (19.12% quantity share).
• Demand Nature: Primarily consumer-driven. Top importers are wealthy nations (Italy, Germany, US, Switzerland), confirming end-consumer consumption over processing.
• Emerging Markets: India appears as both top-6 exporter and top-5 importer ($22.26B), signaling growing domestic consumption.

Supply-Demand Dynamics

• Balance Assessment: Hyper-concentrated supply (Uganda near-monopoly) meets moderately diversified demand (Italy/Germany/US hold 51.83% combined value share).
• Geographic Flow: Clear South-to-North movement: African/Latin American producers (Uganda, Colombia, Brazil) supplying Western/European consumers (Italy, Germany, US).
• Pricing Power: Uganda dominates value chain. Exporters hold leverage, especially for premium segments. Italy's high-value imports suggest focus on quality sourcing.

Table: Global Coffee Import —— Top Destination Countries

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Table: Global Coffee Import —— Top origin Countries

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Global Coffee Import Analysis: Key Suppliers & Buyers

Suppliers Concentration & Strategy

• Power Center: Highly Consolidated. Dominator exporters (33% of companies) control 83% of export value.
• Operational Style: Balanced. 71% of shipments are High-Frequency (Dominators + Retail/JIT), but Bulk Movers drive 30% of volume with low frequency.
• Risk/Opportunity: Buyers face high supplier dependency risk with Dominators. Bulk Movers offer spot-trade flexibility. Retail/JIT suppliers (38% frequency share) provide smaller-order agility.

Oversea Buyers Procurement Patterns

• Procurement Behavior: Dominant High-Value/Low-Frequency buying (20% value share via Bulk Movers) points to large, infrequent stockpiling. Dominators (50% frequency, 79% value) combine volume with steady restocking.
• Market Tier: Giant-driven. Dominator importers (50% of buyers) secure 79% of import value. Low-value clusters are marginal (0.25% combined value share).

Market Entry & Negotiation Strategy

• New Suppliers: Target Dominator buyers first. Accept tougher terms to access 79% of import spend. Use Bulk Movers for spot-market entry.
• New Buyers: Lock in Dominator exporters for core supply despite negotiation pressure. Use Bulk Movers for backup/seasonal fills. Avoid over-relying on fragmented Retail/JIT exporters for volume.
• All Players: Monitor Dominator stability – disruption risks cascade through 83% of export value. Bulk Mover volatility offers arbitrage chances.

Table: Global Coffee Import —— Top Buyers

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Table: Global Coffee Import —— Top Suppliers

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HS Code for Coffee?

HS Code 0901 covers coffee, whether roasted or unroasted, including coffee beans and grounds.

Which country is the largest exporter of Coffee in 2024 Whole Year?

Uganda is the largest exporter, dominating global supply with exports valued at 395.62B.

Who are the top importers of Coffee in 2024 Whole Year?

The top importers are Italy, Germany, and the United States. Italy and Germany are key processing hubs, while the US is a major consumption market.

Who are the major suppliers and companies trading Coffee in 2024 Whole Year?

Key buyers include SUCAFINA SA and KEURIG GREEN MOUNTAIN, while top suppliers are KYAGALANYI COFFEE LIMITED and FEDERACION NACIONAL DE CAFETEROS DE COLOMBIA.

Why do Coffee import rankings sometimes differ from export destination lists?

Trade Asymmetries occur because exports report intended destinations (FOB value), while imports record actual arrivals (CIF value). Trans-shipment via intermediary hubs also causes discrepancies.

How to find reliable Coffee suppliers and exporters in 2024 Whole Year?

Access verified shipment records and active suppliers for HS Code 0901 via the yTrade database, focusing on key regions like Uganda.