Where Does China Import Most of Its Coffee From?

When you’re sipping your morning espresso or cold brew, have you ever wondered where the beans actually come from — especially in a country like China, where coffee culture has grown rapidly over the past two decades? While specialty coffee shops boom in cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou, the majority of imported coffee still comes from just a few countries. So which nation is China’s primary supplier of coffee beans?

Vietnam is by far the biggest source of coffee imports into China, supplying over 90% of China’s coffee imports from ASEAN nations. Between 2007 and 2011 alone, China imported 103,900 tonnes of coffee from Vietnam — 90% of all coffee imported from the ASEAN bloc during those years.

The Scale of China’s Coffee Imports

Since 2002, Vietnam and Malaysia have consistently been the top two sources of coffee for China. Vietnam dominates the picture, especially within ASEAN. According to Vietnam Customs data, from 2007 to 2011, China imported a total of 137,000 tonnes of coffee. Out of that, 103,900 tonnes came from Vietnam, valued at $195 million. This made Vietnam responsible for 90% of China’s coffee imports from ASEAN countries.

Growth in China’s Coffee Consumption

China’s domestic coffee market has been expanding quickly. Annual coffee sales in the country have reached between 30,000 and 40,000 tonnes, with yearly growth rates between 10% and 15%. In the first half of 2012, China imported 15,000 tonnes of coffee from Vietnam, worth $31.88 million. That figure represented 96.2% of all coffee imports from ASEAN countries during that period.

The Rise of Coffee Culture in China

Alongside growing imports, China’s coffee industry infrastructure has expanded significantly. There are now approximately 13,600 coffee shops and 2,200 coffee-related companies operating across the country, employing around 500,000 people. This boom reflects changing consumer habits and increasing interest in both specialty and mainstream coffee products.

Why Vietnam Dominates China’s Coffee Imports

Vietnam’s dominance stems from several factors: proximity to China, established trade relationships, competitive pricing, and high-volume production capabilities. Unlike many other coffee-exporting countries that focus on specialty-grade or single-origin beans, Vietnam primarily produces and exports commercial-grade Robusta, which is widely used in instant coffee and traditional blends. This makes Vietnamese coffee both affordable and abundant — ideal for meeting China’s growing demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country supplies the most coffee to China?

Vietnam is the largest supplier of coffee to China, especially from the ASEAN region. Between 2007 and 2011, Vietnam accounted for 90% of China’s coffee imports from ASEAN, with 103,900 tonnes imported in that period.

How much coffee does China import from Vietnam?

From 2007 to 2011, China imported 103,900 tonnes of coffee from Vietnam, worth $195 million. In the first half of 2012 alone, imports from Vietnam reached 15,000 tonnes, valued at $31.88 million.

What percentage of ASEAN coffee imports to China come from Vietnam?

Vietnam supplies over 90% of the coffee China imports from ASEAN countries. This includes the full 90% share from 2007–2011 and 96.2% in the first half of 2012.

How fast is China’s coffee market growing?

China’s coffee sales have grown at an annual rate of 10–15%, with total yearly consumption reaching 30,000 to 40,000 tonnes. The market includes both traditional and specialty coffee products.

How many coffee shops and companies operate in China?

As of the reported data, China has around 13,600 coffee shops and 2,200 coffee-related businesses, providing jobs for approximately 500,000 people.

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