How Coffee Beans Are Shipped Around the World

Ever wondered how those coffee beans in your grinder made their way from a distant farm halfway across the globe? Before they roast, grind, or brew, coffee beans endure a long, complex journey — often starting with an animal, then moving across land, sea, and air.

Most fresh coffee is exported as 'parchment coffee' — beans still encased in their inner husk — and shipped in rough fiber sacks weighing between 45kg and 90kg, depending on the origin.

What Is Parchment Coffee?

Parchment coffee refers to green coffee beans that are still covered by their natural inner parchment layer — a thin, papery husk that protects the bean during drying and initial storage. This protective layer gives the beans their name and remains until just before export, when it’s usually removed during milling.

Why Beans Stay in Parchment Until Export

Keeping coffee in parchment form during storage and transport adds weight and raises shipping costs, but it also offers protection. The parchment layer helps shield the beans from physical damage, moisture loss, and some environmental factors during their often long and varied journeys from farm to port.

How Coffee Leaves the Farm

Coffee often begins its journey being carried out of remote farms by animals — think donkeys or mules — especially in hilly or less accessible regions. From there, beans may travel by truck, train, boat, or increasingly, plane. The entire logistics chain is shaped by geography, infrastructure, and cost considerations unique to each origin country.

The Role of Jute Bags in Coffee Shipping

Nearly all freshly exported coffee is packed into large sacks made from coarse natural fibers — primarily jute or sometimes burlap (also called gunny cloth). These sacks are durable, breathable, and relatively low-cost, though not airtight. The weight of each sack varies significantly by country:

• Hawaii: 45kg per bag
• Colombia: 70kg per bag
• Puerto Rico: 90kg per bag (less common)
• Most other regions, including many major producers: 60kg per bag

Why Bag Weight Varies by Country

Different coffee-growing regions have adopted local standards for sack sizes based on historical trade practices, labor handling limits, and transportation norms. There’s no universal standard, which means roasters buying from multiple origins may receive different bag weights even when the coffee inside is similarly processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ‘parchment coffee’ mean?

Parchment coffee means the green coffee beans are still covered with their natural inner husk, called the parchment layer. This protective covering is removed during milling, just before export or roasting. Most coffee is shipped in this form to protect the beans.

Why aren’t coffee beans roasted before export?

Coffee beans are not roasted before export because roasting is a final step that drastically reduces shelf life and requires freshness for best flavor. Exporting green (unroasted) coffee allows roasters worldwide to roast it fresh for their markets.

How much does a typical coffee sack weigh?

Most coffee is shipped in 60kg sacks, but weights vary: Hawaii uses 45kg sacks, Colombia commonly uses 70kg, and Puerto Rico sometimes uses 90kg sacks. The most widely used size internationally is 60kg.

Why is coffee shipped in jute bags?

Jute bags are used because they’re strong, breathable, and inexpensive. They protect the coffee during transport while allowing some airflow. Though not airtight, they’re durable enough for the long journeys beans typically make.

Does coffee always travel by ship?

No. While much coffee is shipped by boat, especially over long distances, it may also move by truck, train, or plane. Transport depends on the origin, destination, urgency, and infrastructure available.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Exploring Origins

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for bright floral and citrus notes, or their Colombia Huila for balanced caramel and nutty tones — both arrive as green beans typically exported in 60kg or 70kg jute sacks. For something more unique, their Guatemala Antigua shows chocolate and spice, reflecting how origin shapes profile before roasting. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.