Recently, the “China Coffee Industry Report 2024” was released, revealing a significant evolution in China’s coffee consumption market, shifting from instant coffee dominance to a more diversified consumption approach, with freshly brewed coffee rapidly becoming the mainstream choice.
The report provides an in-depth analysis of the global coffee supply chain, the current state of China’s coffee industry, its development trends, and the challenges it faces. It emphasizes that the addictive qualities and invigorating effects of coffee contribute to consumer habits, suggesting a substantial market potential in the future. Notably, investment interest in coffee enterprises remains robust, which is likely to further accelerate the industry’s growth.
Despite the rapid development of China’s coffee market, the report highlights that per capita consumption still lags significantly behind that of mature markets like Japan, South Korea, Europe, and the United States, indicating considerable room for growth. Currently, coffee cultivation in China is primarily concentrated in Yunnan, which produces slightly over 100,000 tons annually and has maintained stable output over the past decade. In 2023, China’s coffee exports fell to a historic low of 20,000 tons, while imports grew by more than 20%, reaching 150,000 tons and valued at nearly 6 billion yuan. Coffee consumption in China has surged by 167% in the last decade, now totaling 350,000 tons, reflecting the increasing demand for coffee in the market.
Geographically, the top five cities for coffee shops in China—Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Chengdu, and Shenzhen—have seen their combined market share drop from 23% in September 2022 to less than 19% in September 2024, indicating rising coffee market penetration in third- and fourth-tier cities.
The report also indicates that the global coffee industry value chain encompasses multiple stages, from cultivation to end consumption, forming a vast industrial network. The quality of coffee beans is influenced by various stages, including planting, roasting, and brewing, where the intrinsic quality of the beans and the roasting process are particularly crucial. Currently, global coffee production stands at approximately 10 million tons, with a growth of around 15% over the past decade. However, due to global inflation, coffee bean prices have reached high levels.
This report was jointly released by the World Chinese Cuisine Association and Heiyu Investment, aiming to provide comprehensive data support and market insights for decision-makers, investors, and coffee enthusiasts both within the industry and beyond.
