What Countries Lead the Coffee Production Industry?

Almost all cities across the globe have cafes in almost all corners. Thus, it isn’t a surprise that coffee is considered one of the top commodities in the world. There is a high demand for coffee beans and coffee production is almost everywhere as it is the third most consumed drink globally just next to water and tea. 

The countries considered as top coffee producers each produce coffee beans in billions of kilograms that find their way to the cups of eager consumers. The International Coffee Organization revealed that in 2020, 169.6 million coffee bags of 60 kilograms each were produced.

But why does the whole world seem to have this universal love of coffee, anyway? 

It’s All for the Love of Coffee

Ask any coffee lover, and they will surely tell you that the act of drinking coffee itself is a very nuanced and complex experience. For one, there is the rich aroma of the drink, its unique comforting warmth, and that lovely ritual of preparing the drink to finally sit down to get a sip of the freshly made cup. 

Considering all of the different ways of serving coffee and that caffeine kick that it offers; it is not really that hard to see the reasons why the whole world loves coffee down to the last drop.

Coffee production process
Coffee production is a meticulous process that starts with cultivating coffee plants

In fact, many people love this drink so much that they have already conditioned themselves to connect coffee’s bitter taste with positive reinforcement and a bout of energy. 

But have you ever wondered about the journey that every cup of coffee has to go through before it finally lands on your hands? Continue reading below to know more about the coffee production leaders of the world.

Top Coffee Producers in the World

When 2020 came to an end, the top 10 largest coffee production countries held up to 87% of the market share of the commodity. 

Even though some of the top coffee-producing countries are popular, other nations might come as surprise. There are over 70 nations that specialize in coffee production. However, most of the international output comes only from the top five producers, namely Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. 

Brazil

Brazil is named the real powerhouse in terms of coffee production. The nation single-handedly produces almost 40% of the entire supply of coffee in the world.

Most parts of Brazil have a climate that is ideally conducive to coffee cultivation and farming. The coffee plantations in Brazil cover around 27,000 square kilometers with most of them located in Parana, Minas Gerais, and São Paulo.

Coffee production in Brazil
In Brazil, coffee production flourishes on expansive plantations, where fertile soil and perfect climates come together to yield some of the world’s finest coffee beans

Brazil also sets itself apart from the rest of the coffee-producing countries as it dries all the coffee cherries under the sun or unwashed coffee instead of washing them.

The nation is also a very influential coffee producer that the burlap bags weighing 60 kilograms that were historically used for exporting the beans from Brazil continue to be used as a standard in the world for the measurement of trade and production. 

Vietnam

Vietnam has carved its own niche in the global market as it focuses mainly on the more affordable Robusta beans. These Robusta beans tend to have twice the amount of caffeine as that found in Arabica beans. This gives the coffee produced a more bitter taste.

Even if coffee has been cultivated in the country for almost more than a century, it was through the 1990s when its production skyrocketed after the communist government of Vietnam rolled out some economic reforms or the so-called Đổi Mới. 

Coffee production in Vietnam
Coffee production in Vietnam is driven by vast plantations, where favorable climates and dedicated farmers work together to produce high-quality beans for the global market

Vietnam currently makes up over 40% of the production of Robusta beans in the whole world. Vietnam also has extremely productive coffee cultivation. The coffee yields of the nation are notably higher compared to other top coffee-producing regions. 

Colombia

The famous ad campaign that featured Juan Valdez, a fictional coffee farmer, was responsible for helping brand Colombia as among the most popular leaders in coffee production. Colombian coffee is a sought-after drink of choice and is prized and renowned for its fruity, mild, and aromatic flavors.

The ultimate Salento coffee tour – coffee plantation in Colombia, exploring the craft of coffee-making from bean to cup

Indonesia

Indonesia is the source of some of the rarest types of coffee in the Western world. One of these is none other than the famous Kopi Luwak, a unique type of coffee bean that has been consumed and excreted by the Asian palm civet. The coffee produced using these rare coffee beans can easily cost you anywhere around $35 up to a whopping $100 for every cup! 

Coffee Farm in Indonesia
In Indonesia, coffee farms blend age-old practices with the natural landscape, cultivating beans that satisfy coffee lovers around the globe

Ethiopia

Popular for its full-bodied, down-to-earth, and full-flavored coffee beans, the country of Ethiopia is the reason why the world is now enjoying the acclaimed Arabica coffee. Today, this special type of coffee is regarded as one of the most extensively sold not only in cafes but also in restaurants all over the world. 

These top five producing countries can be found in an area known as the Bean Belt which is located right between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Tropic of Cancer. 

Coffee production in Ethiopian
A young African woman carefully collects ripe coffee berries from a lush coffee plant in Ethiopia, contributing to the rich tradition of Ethiopian coffee production

What Lies in the Future of Coffee Production?

As the temperatures of the planet continue to rise by the day, it may pose some challenges in growing and cultivating good coffee. To future-proof both continued and good growth of all coffee beans, it is important to find hybrid and newer blends of coffee beans. 

Several research missions and studies have discovered several wild species of coffee that grow and thrive in some parts of Sierra Leone and off the coast of Côte d’Ivoire. These discoveries may just be the right answer to the concerns about the future production of coffee.

The future of coffee growing and production

Coffee from the coffee plants grown in the said regions has the same taste as the popular Arabica bean and can also be grown even at higher temperatures. 

Even if the future of coffee production across the globe is somewhat uncertain and bleak, people’s collective love for a cup of coffee every morning is expected to drive and lead to more innovative solutions despite being amid the ever-changing climate patterns. 

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