Global Coffee Demand Grew 2.5% Annually Pre-2020

The global coffee market has been expanding steadily for years—but how fast, and why? If you've wondered how much more coffee the world is drinking and which countries are driving that growth, the numbers tell a clear story. A key international body projected strong increases well before 2020, with some regions growing much faster than others.

Yes, global coffee demand grew at an average annual rate of 2.5% before 2020, fueled largely by surging consumption in China and Russia. By 2020, the world was expected to consume 1.75 billion 60kg bags—up from 1.4945 billion in 2014.

What the OIC Predicted Before 2020

According to the National Coffee Organization (OIC), as reported by Brazil’s G1 news outlet on November 19, global coffee demand was on a clear upward trajectory. The organization forecasted that between 2014 and 2020, the world’s coffee consumption would increase at an average annual rate of 2.5%. This growth was driven primarily by emerging markets, with traditional markets also contributing, albeit at a slower pace.

How Much Coffee Were We Drinking?

In 2014, global coffee demand stood at 1.4945 billion 60kg bags. By 2020, that number was projected to rise to 1.75 billion bags. That’s an increase of over 255 million bags in just six years—an impressive jump driven by rising interest in specialty and everyday coffee alike.

Emerging vs. Traditional Markets

The growth wasn’t uniform across the globe. Emerging markets like China and Russia were seeing annual demand growth rates of around 4% to 4.5%. In contrast, traditional coffee-consuming markets were growing at a more modest 1% to 1.5% per year. This divergence highlights how newer coffee cultures were rapidly expanding their consumption habits.

What About Production Shortfalls?

The OIC also noted that in the year leading up to the report, there was a global production gap of 800,000 bags. Despite this shortfall, the organization assured that the market would adjust naturally. It was expected that Brazil, a major coffee-producing country, would tap into its inventory to help balance supply and demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the average annual growth rate of global coffee demand before 2020?

The National Coffee Organization (OIC) predicted an average annual growth rate of 2.5% for global coffee demand between 2014 and 2020, driven largely by emerging markets.

How much coffee was the world expected to consume by 2020?

By 2020, global coffee demand was projected to reach 1.75 billion 60kg bags, up from 1.4945 billion bags in 2014.

Which countries had the fastest-growing coffee demand?

China and Russia were among the countries with the fastest-growing coffee demand, seeing annual growth rates of approximately 4% to 4.5%.

What was the global coffee production shortfall mentioned in the report?

The report noted a global production gap of 800,000 bags, but the OIC suggested the market would self-regulate, with Brazil likely using inventory to balance supply.

Did traditional coffee markets grow as fast as emerging ones?

No, traditional markets grew at a slower pace of about 1% to 1.5% annually, compared to 4% to 4.5% in emerging markets like China and Russia.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Global Coffee Growth

Explore FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral and citrus notes, a great example of a high-growth origin, and PWN Golden Mandheling for classic balanced Indonesian profiles. For something closer to home, try Yunnan Arabica showcasing China’s rising specialty production with fruity and sweet complexity. All beans highlight the regions fueling global demand. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.