But, despite this setback, coffee exports from Indonesia started in 1711 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC). These exports were bound for Amsterdam where the coffee was sold for eye-watering prices. Arabica is the main type, with varieties like Bourbon, Mundo Novo, Catuai, and Icatu. Coffee leaf rust has hit the industry hard, making Robusta more popular25. The shift to Robusta is thanks to its hardiness and high demand. These places have the right climate and soil for both Arabica and Robusta25.

A worldwide network of 25 million farmers rely on these beans for their livelihood. In fact, coffee exports are a huge part of agricultural GDP and a valuable source of foreign income in these producer countries. The abolition of the slave trade hit the Jamaican coffee industry hard. And issues with soil management further reduced the number of coffee farms and the quality of the coffee grown in Jamaica. Panama’s geography means there are several distinct microclimates and there are some very dedicated coffee growers committed to producing high-quality beans.

  • The bulk of coffee production is robusta at 82%, and arabica accounts for the rest at 18%.
  • Brazil’s coffee is favored for its creamy, low acidity flavor with rich and subtle caramel notes.
  • Starbucks is the most popular coffee chain in America and the largest coffee chain in the world.
  • That’s why organizations like the International Coffee Organization (ICO) work hard to improve the coffee economy.

World Coffee Production by Country

The Ivory Coast produces 108,000 metric tons (238,000,000 pounds) of coffee. Additionally, their marketing campaigns shape consumer behavior and preferences, often dictating trends in the coffee industry. This power allows them to influence coffee pricing on a global scale, impacting smaller coffee producers. As these giants continue to climb in the market, their collective influence poses challenges for the broader coffee industry. Starbucks started as a single store selling high-quality coffee beans and equipment.

Peru produces an estimated 340,000 metric tons annually across diverse growing regions in the northern, central and southern highlands. In fact, 97 percent of its green beans are Robusta and the basis for the famous Vietnamese iced coffee. Surprisingly, it has surpassed Indonesia as the largest coffee producer in Asia. This is due to a steady increase in production thanks to the Doi Moi reforms. Having learned a brief overview of the world’s biggest coffee producers, take the time to deep dive into the individual nations.

Thanks to the unique climates of the Canary Islands and Azores, specialty coffee is now growing in European territories. Following the genocide in Rwanda which claimed the lives of around 1 million people, coffee has played a major role in the country’s recovery. As foreign aid streamed into the country, there was a focus on producing high-quality coffee and building washing stations. However, between 1840 and 1940 there was significant government and foreign investment in the Nicaraguan coffee industry.

Nestlé, for example, has invested heavily in research and development to innovate its coffee products, which has helped maintain its dominance in the market. Smucker has also expanded its portfolio through acquisitions, helping it capture a larger share of the coffee category. Nestlé was founded in 1866, but it entered the coffee market in 1938 with the creation of Nescafé, a brand that has since become a household name. Nescafé’s innovation of instant coffee revolutionized the way coffee was consumed, making it accessible to many.

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Arabica beans grown at 2,950-4,000 feet (900-1,220 meters) develop faster. They’re sweet, smooth, earthy and less acidic; but not as complex. But in the latter half of the 18th-century, coffee production really boomed. By 1827, there were 2000 coffee farms on Cuba and it generated more income than sugar production. Relatively little of the coffee produced in the Dominican Republic is exported.

It has moved past Mexico in 2015 to become the world’s 8th largest producer of coffee. The nation grows both Robusta beans – a crop native to the Kibale forest area – as well as Arabica beans largest producer of coffee in the world from nearby Ethiopia. Guatemala is a key player in the global coffee scene, despite its small size.

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Today, 95% of coffee farms in Papua New Guinea are smallholders, producing around 90% of the country’s coffee. Many people lump coffee from Papua New Guinea in with their biggest coffee producing neighbor, Indonesia. But this is unfair as they share relatively little when it comes to coffee. In 1934, the Kenyan auction system was created for the sale of coffee beans and is still used today.

In terms of global presence, Nestlé, J.M. Smucker, and Starbucks all have a strong international footprint, but they differ in their market strategies. Nestlé has a vast global reach, selling its coffee products in numerous countries and adapting its offerings to local tastes, making it one of the most recognized brands worldwide. Its distribution encompasses not only grocery stores but also cafes and restaurants globally.

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The topography means Robusta makes up 95% of the coffee production in Vietnam with only 5% being high-quality Arabica beans. Brazil is the largest producer of coffee in the world by a long shot and has been for over 150 years. The part of the coffee plant that we drink each morning, the coffee beans, are actually the seeds of the coffee cherry that grow on a tree. For a long time, coffee has been a source of pride and income for Guatemala. It offers a variety of high-quality Arabica beans that coffee lovers around the globe seek28. Subida Coffee Co. is a non-profit that helps youth in the coffee industry18.

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With the effort resulting in little success, the Brazilian government turned to the emerging instant coffee market as a way to make use of the huge surplus of coffee beans. Despite abolishing slavery in 1888, the coffee industry continued to grow and thrive. By 1920, Brazil was producing 80 percent of the global output of coffee. During this time, the coffee industry was financing a great deal of infrastructure within the country.

Each of these companies has carved out a significant market share in the coffee industry through their innovative products and extensive distribution networks. Founded in 1971 in Seattle, Washington, Starbucks has become synonymous with coffee culture. Today, it stands as the largest coffee shop chain globally, boasting over 33,000 locations across more than 80 countries. Determining which country produces the top coffee by taste is always going to be subjective.

Seventh Largest Producer of Coffee in the World – Peru

  • Additionally, the company actively promotes recycling and reducing waste in its stores.
  • Arabica is the main type, with varieties like Bourbon, Mundo Novo, Catuai, and Icatu.
  • This is why, historically, most Rwandan coffee exports have gone to Belgium.
  • Ugandan robusta production is spread throughout the southern region with some production in the north.
  • The main coffee areas are Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Espírito Santo, Bahia, and Paraná5.
  • Approximately 400 million cups of coffee are drunk annually worldwide.

However, the government does still exert control on the industry, with flow out of the country controlled by the Uganda Coffee Development Authority. India’s coffee farms often grow coffee under shade with other fruits and spices. This method is good for the environment and helps protect biodiversity. Most of Peru’s coffee grows above 1,200 meters high, aiming for the best quality23. This high place gives coffee a special taste, with a medium body and a tangy finish22. According to the British Coffee Association, as many as two million cups of coffee are consumed by people each day.

The first dated mention of coffee produced in Honduras is from 1804. So, coffee must have arrived in the late 18th century as it takes a few years to get a crop. Lately, there has been an internal move to sell more coffee as a blend of the many regions.

Therefore, specific regions play a bigger factor than in most countries when it comes to the flavor of the beans. Most of the growing regions are in the “Atlantic Forest” towards the south of the country, just inland from the coast. Brazil leads the world in coffee production, making up 29% of global output. The top coffee producers are Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, Honduras, Ethiopia, Peru, India, Guatemala, and Uganda, as per the FAOSTAT of the United Nations. As more people around the world drink coffee, these leading countries will be key in meeting that demand.