Undoubtedly, the COVID-19 pandemic has a lasting impact on the lives of many people and businesses. For some in a positive aspect, but for others not. As for the global coffee sector, in the year 2020, exports increased, despite the repeated lockdowns of restaurants and other businesses affecting this sector. Also, the consumption of coffee at home increased, thus helping to compensate for the decline in sales. But what is the situation nowadays? With the help of statistics and forecasts, we will try to present the current reality of the global coffee sector.

 

General trends and statistics for 2021


Favorable weather conditions in 2020 allowed the quantities ​​of coffee bean production to remain high. According to the International Coffee Organization (ICO), global coffee production has increased by + 3.3% in the last year, reaching 10.5 million tons. According to the ICO, the production of Robusta coffee beans decreased by -2.8% on an annual basis while the production of Arabica coffee beans increased by + 13.6%, to 6.3 million tons and 4.2 million tons, respectively. Production slowed down in Africa (-0.9% ), Mexico, and Central America (-0.1%), but South America showed significant growth (+ 13.9%). Brazil, registering a volume of 2.5 million tons of shipments, continues to lead in exports.

In terms of market bases, shipments from exporting countries to all destinations summed to 11.40 million bags weighing 60 kg in April 2021, compared to 11.29 million bags in April 2020. As a result, total exports in the first seven months of coffee 2020/21 amounted to 77.52 million bags compared to 74.49 million for the same period in 2019/20. Cumulative exports from May 2020 to April 2021 are estimated at 130.40 million bags, which is a slight decrease of 0.48% compared to 130.97 million registered from May 2019 to April 2020. World coffee consumption in 2020/21 is projected at 167.58 million bags, an increase of 1.9% compared to its level of 164.43 million in 2019/20. Although world consumption is increasing, it remains 1.2% below world production.

According to the latest data of the ICO in May 2021, the trend of rising prices of raw coffee beans - especially Arabica, due to the expected decline in production in key exporting countries such as Brazil. And the easing of measures around the world is increasing demand for this product because the global amount of green coffee Arabica and Robusta is insufficient, so prices are rising. As unpleasant as it may be for traders and final users, this is the reality today. Unfortunately, everyone in the chain has suffered - more or less.


How is the coffee market in Bulgaria developing?


In general, there is an increase in coffee consumption by Bulgarians, but we are still below the average consumption per capita for Europe.  Due to the global crisis and all the measures taken, there was a decline in coffee consumption at restaurants. Which is widely offset by growth in e-commerce and coffee consumption at home. The preferences of the coffee lovers, Arabica or Robusta, are changing, influenced by taste characteristics, varieties, brands. There is also a growing interest in more convenient ways of preparation that guarantee higher quality coffee.

 

We from the Family Roastery “Martines caffe” strongly believe that this trend, which is noticeable in Bulgarians and the increased attention in coffee consumption, will continue in the future. Because even at the moment, coffee lovers in Bulgaria are up to date with the latest trends and demonstrate openness to all new offers.