Coffee is one of the world’s favorite drinks, enjoyed every day by millions of people. In countries like the United States, the consumption of coffee is experiencing a rising trend and estimates show that it is only bound to increase in the future. As a result, the global coffee market has become a multi-billion dollar industry.
However, coffee is an interesting industry, since it has continued to remain relevant and has changed flavours overtime to meet our needs and preferences. We have gathered some interesting facts about the coffee industry to help understand how it actually works and turn every coffee lover into a coffee expert.
Interesting Coffee History
Learning the history of coffee is as interesting as the facts and figures related to consumption and production. According to the National Coffee Association, an Ethiopian farmer who observed his goats being very energetic after consuming a particular type of cherry first discovered coffee.
However, over the years, there have been several attempts to ban coffee. These bans occurred in Sweden, Italy, Mecca, and Prussia, where coffee was perceived to be too toxic for consumption. It is known to have a direct influence on the mental capabilities of coffee drinkers, with sleep disruption being the most harmful factor.
Coffee at Work
The consumption of coffee is the highest amongst those who spend most of their day in offices. May it be lunch break or chatting with a colleague, coffee is what keeps the conversations going. In the United States, office workers consume the most amount of coffee averaging at 20 cups per week.
Furthermore, the Europeans drink more coffee as compared to the Americans. More than 52 percent of the coffee consumed is done in the office. Infact, studies show that coffee consumption is increasing worldwide.
More than 25 Million People Work the Farms that Provide the World It’s Coffee
According to several estimates, more than 25 million people work in small farms that help produce 80 percent of the world’s annual coffee input. Plus, according to the Fair Trade Organization, there could be as many as more than 125 million people that rely on the coffee industry to survive.
One of the most surprising coffee industry facts relates to coffee growers that exist in more than 50 countries in South America, the Caribbean, South Africa, Central Asia, and America. The Americas provide more than two-thirds of the world’s coffee production.
People Worldwide Drink More than Half a Trillion Cups of Coffee Each Year
There is always this debate between tea and coffee fanatics about which is the most popular. Without a doubt, coffee takes a huge lead. It remains the favourite beverage of almost 85% of adults worldwide. According to the coffee industry facts and figures, people all over the world consume more than 500 billion cups of different types of coffee each year.
It should also be noted that coffee drinks tend to be comparatively larger than their tea counterparts but not in the case of espresso. It is said that an average coffee consumer drinks around eight to ten ounces per serving, while a typical teacup only consists of six ounces.
Robusta and Arabica Remain the Major Coffee Bean Types
There are more than four coffee bean types that baristas around the world are aware of including Robusta, Arabica, Liberica, and Excelsa. However, the first two types, count for more than 90% of the global consumption.
The coffee production facts state that sixty to 70% of coffee bean production is Arabica, preferred for its sweet and delicate flavor. However, Robusta is opted by coffee drinkers who want a strong and bold flavor.
Issues Affecting the Price of Coffee
When it comes to determining the price of coffee, there are several factors that come into place. These factors are related to climate, geopolitics, health issues, transportation, and oil prices, etc. Countries like Brazil and Vietnam that happen to be amongst the top coffee producers share a history of political instability. As a result, production and exportation are affected.
At the same time, coffee plants are significantly influenced by fluctuating weather conditions. These plants require a specific amount of rainfall and sun to produce the best results. If these two factors are not balanced, the plants do not grow properly, hindering production and lowering the supplies, which ultimately leads to higher prices.
In addition to that, the trend of price increase is forecasted to grow in the coming years if the effects of global warming continue to persist. This is due to dry conditions in some countries that affect the production of coffee plants and beans.
Finally, transporting beans around the world requires the use of oil. Therefore, the fluctuation in the prices of oil can have a direct effect on the coffee shipping costs. If there are any disruptions, it is most likely to end up with higher coffee prices.
The Nords are the World’s Greatest Coffee Consumers per Capita
According to the World Atlas facts about coffee industry, five of the world’s top six coffee-consuming nations per capita belong to the Nordic region. Finland takes the lead with 26.45 pounds of national coffee consumption per capita, with Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden not too far behind.
Another fascinating fact about these figures is that they count the country’s population. The consumption of these Nordic countries will be higher if you were to remove the under-18 age group.
Americans are the Ultimate Coffee Lovers in the World
While the Nords take the lead on the national average, no one can outmatch the United States when it comes to the sheer coffee volume. The global coffee consumption stands at 1.4 billion and the US shares 45% of that. This is equal to 400 million cups each day.
The facts about coffee industry between 2019 and 2020 alone state that more than 1.75 million tons of coffee were purchased by Americans, which is equivalent to more than $5.5 billion.
Black Ivory is the World’s Most Expensive Coffee
A good quality Arabica coffee costs around $1.6 per round, making it the favorite of the worldwide average coffee drinkers. However, coffee fanatics do not limit themselves when it comes to trying out new types, even if it costs them a few hundred dollars.
For instance, it is said that Kopi Luwak is the world’s most expensive coffee but that is simply not true. If a round of Kopi Luwak sells for about $600 per round, then Thailand’s Black Ivory costs 2.5 times more than that.
Final Word
The above-mentioned interesting facts about the coffee industry show that coffee is here to stay. It has become such an interesting business that even traders like to invest as well. With manufacturers looking to invent and introduce new flavors and techniques, consumption is bound to increase. Over the years, the average coffee price has gone up but that does not seem to stop people from enjoying coffee. Therefore, it can be said that coffee will always remain an essential part of everyone’s daily lives.