Fourth Mangshi Coffee Festival to Showcase Yunnan Coffee in 2015

In early 2015, as China’s coffee consumption surged past 20% annually and cafés multiplied nationwide, few drinkers knew that Yunnan—just a border ride from Vietnam—was already growing over 160,000 acres of coffee. The Fourth China Mangshi (International) Coffee Culture Festival arrived January 23–25, 2015, in Dehong Prefecture’s Mangshi city to change that, putting Yunnan’s coffee on the map with trade deals, expert talks, and factory plans.

The four-day event featured the first-ever Yunnan coffee trade fair, a growth forum for Chinese café owners, and the groundbreaking for a 20,000-ton instant coffee line—key steps to boost Yunnan’s global coffee profile.

What Was the Fourth Mangshi Coffee Festival?

Hosted by the China-ASEAN Coffee Cooperation Committee, China Coffee Engineering Research Center, and Yunnan Coffee Industry Association, and organized by Dehong Hougou Coffee Co., Ltd., the 2015 festival ran January 23–25 in Mangshi, Yunnan. It aimed to connect international buyers with Yunnan producers and address challenges in China’s fast-growing but under-recognized coffee sector.

Why Focus on Yunnan Coffee Now?

By 2015, Yunnan had become one of the world’s major coffee-growing regions, with over 160,000 acres planted and an expected 120,000+ tons of coffee harvested that season. Yet the industry remained largely undeveloped in processing, branding, and trade. The festival offered a rare platform to showcase Yunnan’s beans to global buyers from 30+ countries and promote local growth.

Key Events at the 2015 Festival

The festival included multiple landmark events:

• First Yunnan Coffee Trade Fair: Over 30 countries sent buyers to meet Yunnan producers and sample coffee from the province’s eight major regions.
• First China Café Growth Forum: Addressed the reality that 30% of Chinese cafés profit, 30% break even, and 40% lose money, while 80% of Yunnan’s coffee exports overseas—leaving locals unaware of its quality.
• Groundbreaking for 20,000-Ton Instant Coffee Line: Set for completion by late 2016, this expansion would make Hougou Coffee Asia’s largest instant coffee producer, completing a full industrial chain from farm to export.

What Challenges Did Yunnan Coffee Face?

Despite rapid growth, Yunnan’s coffee industry was still in a raw stage—farming, processing, and branding remained basic. Most Chinese cafés used imported beans, and many didn’t know Yunnan grew coffee at all. The festival aimed to fix that by connecting local growers with domestic and international buyers and educating café owners.

How Was the Café Sector Evolving?

China’s café count had exploded from 20,000 in 2008 to around 100,000 by 2015, with hotspots like Shanghai (5,500 cafés) and the Beijing-Guangzhou-Shenzhen tier holding 10,000+ shops. Yet profitability was tough: just 30% of cafés turned a profit, 40% lost money, and the rest struggled to survive. The forum sought to guide owners on better operations, knowledge-sharing, and consumer education.

What’s Next for Hougou Coffee?

With its 3,000-ton and 10,000-ton lines already running, Hougou Coffee’s new 20,000-ton instant coffee facility, set to open by late 2016, would cement its position as Asia’s top instant producer. The project expanded Hougou’s ecosystem from farming and processing to trade and branding, creating a complete coffee industry backbone in Yunnan.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where was the Fourth China Mangshi Coffee Culture Festival held?

The 4th festival took place January 23–25, 2015, in Mangshi city, Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. It was organized by major coffee industry bodies and hosted by Dehong Hougou Coffee Co., Ltd.

What were the main events at the 2015 Mangshi coffee festival?

Key events included the First Yunnan Coffee Trade Fair (with international buyers from 30+ countries), the First China Café Growth Forum, and the groundbreaking ceremony for Hougou Coffee’s 20,000-ton instant coffee production line.

How much coffee does Yunnan produce?

By the 2015 harvest season, Yunnan had over 160,000 acres of coffee farms and was expected to produce more than 120,000 tons of coffee, making it one of the world’s significant coffee-growing regions.

Why was the China Café Growth Forum important?

The forum addressed the challenges facing Chinese coffee shop owners, including low profitability (only 30% of cafés make money), lack of awareness about Yunnan coffee, and the need for better business practices and consumer education.

What was the significance of Hougou Coffee’s new production line?

The planned 20,000-ton instant coffee line, set to open by late 2016, would make Hougou Coffee the largest instant coffee producer in Asia, completing an integrated coffee industry chain in Yunnan from planting to global export.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Yunnan Coffee

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Yunnan single origins to taste the region’s unique profile. Their Yunnan Huila offers a balanced cup with chocolatey sweetness and mild fruit notes, while their Yunnan Natural presents a heavier body with caramel undertones. Both highlight the terroir of China’s key coffee-growing province. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.