Coffee producers, the world's largest pillars.
Coffee is much more than just a beverage for millions of people around the world. It's a culture, a tradition, and for many regions, it is also a vital industry. Major coffee-producing countries play a central role in supplying this beloved beverage.
Thanks to their climate, fertile soils and agricultural expertise, these countries dominate global coffee production.
In this article, we will introduce you to some of the leading producers and players in this industry, highlighting their unique contributions to the global coffee economy.
Brazil
- World Producer Ranking: 1er
Among the main coffee producing countries, Brazil stands out as world's leading producer, holding a very large share of the global market. Its vast expanses of fertile land, favorable climate and expertise in coffee cultivation have made it the undisputed leader in coffee production and export for over a century.
The harvest period generally runs from May to August. Brazil's diverse climate, characterized by variations in temperature and rainfall in different regions, allows for the cultivation of a diverse range of coffees suited to the different tastes and preferences of consumers around the world.
Inasmuch as main producer, Brazil exerts considerable influence on global coffee prices. Fluctuations in its production can have a significant impact on the global coffee market as well as the economies of producing countries dependent on coffee exports.
Our coffees from Brazil
Colombia
- World Producer Ranking: 4e
Located in the equatorial region, with a mountainous climate and fertile soils, Colombia offers ideal conditions for the cultivation of Arabica coffee, a premium variety prized for its rich taste and distinctive aroma. Thanks to the many microclimates, the harvest period extends throughout the year, allowing nearly 500,000 farms to produce coffee in Colombia.
The traditional growing method, called "café de sombra" (shaded coffee), involves growing coffee under the canopy of trees, thus promoting biodiversity and preserving the ecosystem surroundings. This sustainable approach is not only beneficial for the environment, but it also helps produce high-quality coffee beans.
As the world's third-largest coffee producer, Colombia exports a large portion of its harvest to international destinations, meeting global demand for this precious beverage. Colombian coffee is not only a source of national pride, but also plays a crucial economic role as the driving force of the Colombian economy and a source of livelihood for many rural communities.
Famous for its sweet and balanced taste, with floral, fruity, and chocolatey notes, Colombian coffee is often described as sweet and aromatic, with bright acidity and a velvety body. This combination of factors makes it one of the most popular and sought-after coffees worldwide.
Our coffees from Colombia
Ethiopia
- World Producer Ranking: 5e
Ethiopia is often considered the birthplace of coffee, where the legend says that this drink was discovered by a shepherd centuries ago.This ancient and mystical story deeply links coffee to the Ethiopian land, and it is a source of pride for the 5th largest producing country.
This country is famous for its diversity of coffee varietiesRenowned varieties such as Ethiopian Arabica coffee, known for its floral aroma and fruity notes, are grown in different regions of the country. Additionally, Ethiopia is home to a wide variety of coffee cultivars and types, offering a wealth of unique flavor profiles. There are few plantations and large farms; coffee grows primarily in gardens or forests. In fact, 90% of the country's coffee production comes from smallholder farmers.
Coffee also holds an important place in Ethiopian culture. The Ethiopian coffee ceremony, called "buna," is a key social tradition in many parts of the country. This ceremony provides an opportunity for gatherings and sharing, strengthening social and family ties.
Despite its economic and cultural importance, the coffee industry in Ethiopia faces challenges, including increasing pressure on agricultural land, climate change, and fluctuations in global coffee prices. The sustainability of coffee production is therefore becoming increasingly important to ensure the resilience of this vital industry within the country.
Our Ethiopian coffees
Guatemala
- World Producer Ranking: 11 e
Guatemalan coffee is famous for its superior quality and rich taste.The varied climatic conditions, including cool temperatures in the mountainous heights and abundant rainfall, favor the production of excellent quality coffee beans.
Coffee was introduced to Guatemala around the 1850s and 1870s, primarily through the Jesuits. The first coffee export to Europe dates back to 1859. Today, coffee beans represent a significant portion of the country's agricultural exports, making it one of the world's top 10 producers. Approximately 125,000 producers are located in different parts of the country. Coffee production generates significant income for many rural communities and contributes to employment throughout the agricultural sector.
Guatemala's mountainous regions, such as Huehuetenango, Antigua, Atitlán, and Cobán, are renowned for their production of high-quality coffee. Each region has its own geographical and climatic characteristics that influence the taste profile coffee.
In summary, Guatemala occupies an important place on the world stage as a producer of high-quality coffee, offering a variety of coffees renowned for their distinctive flavor and contributing significantly to the national economy and sustainable development.
Our coffees from Guatemala
Top 10 Coffee Producers in the World
Here is the top 10 global producers of coffee with their production in tonnes and their share of the world market, based on the data available for the year 2022-2023:
#1.Brazil
Production: Approximately 4.1 million tonnes
Global market share: About 35%
#2. Vietnam
Production: Approximately 1.9 million tonnes
Global market share: About 17%
#3. Indonesia
Production: Approximately 782,100 tonnes
Global market share: About 9%
#4. Colombia
Production: Approximately 745,800 tonnes
Global market share: About 6%
#5. Ethiopia
Production: Approximately 545,820 tonnes
Global market share: About 5%
#6 .Uganda
Production: Approximately 433,290 tonnes
Global market share: About 4%
#7. India
Production: Approximately 430,320 tonnes
Global market share: About 3%
#8. Honduras
Production: Approximately 356,400 tonnes
Global market share: About 3%
#9. Mexico
Production: Approximately 269,874 tonnes
Global market share: About 2%
#10. Peru
Production: Approximately 239,250 tonnes
Global market share: About 2%
Source Craft Coffee Spot
What is the state of coffee production today and what is its future?
Today, the state of coffee production is influenced by various factors, such as weather conditions.
There are certain trends and challenges that could affect coffee production and producers in the medium to long term. Here are some examples:
- Climate change. Climate variations impact coffee yields and quality. Phenomena such as droughts, floods, and storms affect production in different coffee-growing regions, including the largest producers.
- Diseases and parasites, one of the consequences of climate change. Diseases such as leaf rust and pests like the coffee weevil can threaten coffee plantations, reducing production.
- The evolution of global demand. Coffee consumption habits are evolving over time, with ever-increasing demand in new emerging markets, or changes in consumer preferences in existing markets, putting pressure on producers.
- Sustainability and agricultural practices. Coffee farmers can adopt sustainable agricultural practices to preserve natural resources and ensure long-term production. This can include initiatives such as agroforestry, water management, and soil conservation.
- market prices. Fluctuations in coffee prices on the world market can influence producers' incentives to invest in coffee production.
Looking ahead, coffee production is likely to continue to be influenced by these factors, as well as other developments such as technological advances in agriculture, trade policies, and growing concerns about environmental sustainability.Coffee producers will need to adapt to these changing conditions to ensure the long-term sustainability and viability of the coffee industry.
Image Statista
Is coffee production doomed to disappear?
Coffee production is unlikely to disappear completely, but it could certainly be seriously threatened in some regions due to the challenges it faces, as mentioned above, such as climate change, disease, economic pressure on producers and competition for natural resources.
However, it's important to note that the coffee industry is dynamic and adaptable. Coffee producers, researchers, governments, and industry organizations are working together to find solutions to the challenges facing coffee production. This includes developing disease-resistant coffee varieties, adopting sustainable farming practices, improving agricultural infrastructure and technologies, and initiatives to economically support producers.
Moreover, global demand for coffee remains strong and even continues to grow in many countries, providing economic incentives to maintain and expand coffee production.
While some coffee-growing regions may face challenges and may need to adapt to changing conditions, it is unlikely that coffee production will disappear entirely. However, a prudent management and sustained efforts will be necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of the coffee industry.
