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Coffee Economics

Coffee Economics, Understanding the Economics of Coffee, Coffee Market Economics

Economics of Coffee. Why is coffee important to the world economy?

In a nutshell, coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. Coffee is also one of the most important commodities. According to research, “90 percent of coffee production takes place in developing countries.” Millions of small coffee producers in these developing countries rely on coffee to make a living.


Where does coffee grow?

Coffee is grown in more than 50 countries around the world; however, most of the coffee is grown along the equator! The top countries where coffee is produced includes:

  • Haiti, Cuba, Guatemala and Mexico.
  • Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.
  • Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire), Cameroon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Angola, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Kenya.
  • Yemen, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines and New Guinea.

Where Coffee Grows

World Coffee Bean Production

World Coffee Bean Production

Two types of coffee dominate commercial production: Arabica (Coffee Arabica) and Robusta (Coffee Canephora)

World coffee production is split 60% Arabica and 40% Robusta

Did you know? Brazil is the top coffee producing country. Also, Brazil accounts for nearly 40 percent of the overall global coffee supply.

Economics of Coffee


  • Coffee is the world’s most popular beverage and there are over 30 million coffee producers and individuals in developing countries.
  • 90% of coffee production takes place in developing countries and rural regions and a majority of the coffee consumption takes place in the developed economies, mostly in North America, South America and Europe.
  • Approximately 120 million people in developing regions are impacted by coffee agriculture and farming.
  • In Brazil, over 5 million people harvest and cultivate over 3 billion coffee plants.
  • Every day, over 2.5 billion cups of coffee are consumed throughout the world every day.

Coffee Production By Country