Global Coffee Production — ICO Data, Country Rankings, and Arabica/Robusta Split
Global coffee production: ~175 million 60kg bags (ICO 2022–23). Brazil 38–40%, Vietnam 18–20%, Colombia 8–9%, Ethiopia 4–5%, Indonesia 4%. Arabica 60%, Robusta 40% of global output.
| Measure | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global annual coffee production | ~175 | million 60kg bags (2022–23) | ICO estimate; equals approximately 10.5 million metric tonnes of green coffee |
| Brazil share of world production | 38–40 | % | World's largest producer since the 1840s; both Arabica and Robusta |
| Vietnam share | 18–20 | % | World's 2nd largest; predominantly Robusta; rapid expansion since 1990s |
| Colombia share | 8–9 | % | 3rd largest; 100% Arabica; premium positioning in international markets |
| Ethiopia share | 4–5 | % | 5th largest but origin of Coffea arabica; largest producer in Africa |
| Indonesia share | ~4 | % | 4th–5th largest; diverse production: Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Flores |
| Arabica share of global production | ~60 | % | Grown primarily in Latin America, East Africa, and parts of Asia |
| Robusta share of global production | ~40 | % | Primarily Vietnam, Brazil (Conilon), Ivory Coast, Uganda |
| Global coffee consumption | ~170 | million 60kg bags/year | ICO 2022–23; market roughly in balance; inventory varies 3–7% surplus/deficit |
Coffee is produced in approximately 70 countries, all in the tropical belt between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn (roughly 25°N to 25°S). However, production is highly concentrated: the top 5 countries account for roughly 75% of global supply. The International Coffee Organization (ICO), founded in 1963, tracks global production, consumption, and trade data.
Top Coffee Producing Countries (ICO 2022–23)
| Rank | Country | Production (million 60kg bags) | Share | Primary species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil | 63–67 | 38–40% | Arabica + Robusta |
| 2 | Vietnam | 29–32 | 18–20% | Robusta (95%+) |
| 3 | Colombia | 13–15 | 8–9% | Arabica (100%) |
| 4 | Indonesia | 10–12 | 6–7% | Robusta (~75%), Arabica (~25%) |
| 5 | Ethiopia | 7–9 | 4–5% | Arabica (100%) |
| 6 | Honduras | 7–8 | 4–5% | Arabica (100%) |
| 7 | India | 5–6 | 3% | Robusta (~65%), Arabica (~35%) |
| 8 | Uganda | 5–6 | 3% | Robusta (~80%), Arabica (~20%) |
| 9 | Mexico | 3–4 | 2% | Arabica |
| 10 | Guatemala | 3–4 | 2% | Arabica |
Arabica vs. Robusta Production Geography
| Species | Primary Growing Regions | Share of Production | Altitude Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabica (C. arabica) | Latin America (Brazil highlands, Colombia, Central America), East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda) | ~60% | 900–2,000m+ |
| Robusta (C. canephora) | Vietnam (Central Highlands), Brazil (Espírito Santo/Conilon), Ivory Coast, Uganda | ~40% | Sea level to 800m |
Production Trends
- Long-term growth: Global production has grown from ~90 million bags in 1990 to ~175 million bags in 2023 — roughly doubling in 33 years
- Vietnam’s rise: From <1 million bags in 1990 to 30+ million bags today — the single largest structural shift in global coffee supply
- Brazil’s biennial cycle: Brazilian production alternates between high-crop (on-year) and lower-crop (off-year) cycles because the primary coffee-bearing trees (Coffea arabica var. Mundo Novo, Bourbon) have biennial fruiting patterns; this ±15–20% swing affects global C-market prices annually
- Climate vulnerability: Both Arabica-producing highland regions and low-altitude Robusta zones face projected yield losses of 20–50% in the most-exposed areas by 2050 under moderate warming scenarios (IPCC RCP 4.5)
Global Market Balance
The coffee market has been roughly in balance over the 2020–2024 period, with production marginally exceeding consumption (the surplus being absorbed into exchange-registered warehouse stocks). The ICO tracks a composite indicator price based on New York (Arabica futures) and London (Robusta futures) exchange prices.
Related Pages
Sources
- International Coffee Organization (ICO) — Coffee Report 2022–23
- ICO Historical Data on Production
- USDA Foreign Agricultural Service — Coffee World Markets and Trade
- FAO FAOSTAT Coffee Production Data
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Brazil dominate global coffee production so completely?
Brazil's dominance stems from several structural advantages: it has the world's largest continuous coffee-growing landmass (primarily Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Paraná, Espírito Santo), a flat enough terrain for mechanized harvesting (reducing labor costs dramatically versus hand-picked mountainous origins), favorable cerrado and Atlantic Forest climate zones, decades of agricultural research and EMBRAPA breeding programs, and a large domestic market that consumes roughly 20–22 million bags per year independently. Brazil has been the world's largest producer continuously since the 1840s.
How did Vietnam become the world's second largest coffee producer?
Vietnam's rise is almost entirely a post-1990 phenomenon. After market liberalization reforms (Doi Moi, 1986), Vietnamese farmers rapidly expanded Robusta cultivation in the Central Highlands (Buon Ma Thuot, Lam Dong, Dak Lak). Production grew from under 1 million bags in 1990 to over 30 million bags by the mid-2010s — a roughly 30-fold increase in 25 years. Vietnam focuses almost exclusively on Robusta, which is lower altitude and easier to grow mechanically than Arabica. The country now supplies a significant proportion of the instant coffee and espresso blend markets.
What is the difference between Arabica and Robusta in production terms?
Arabica (Coffea arabica) grows at higher altitudes (900–2,000m+), requires more precise temperature ranges (15–24°C), yields lower per hectare, and commands higher market prices due to complex flavor. Robusta (Coffea canephora) grows at lower altitudes (sea level to 800m), tolerates higher temperatures, yields 2–3x more per hectare, contains roughly 2x more caffeine, and sells for 30–50% less than Arabica on commodity markets. The Robusta premium for high-quality processing has grown in specialty markets as Italian espresso tradition rehabilitated it.
What is a 60kg bag and why is it the standard unit?
The 60-kilogram jute or burlap sack became the international standard unit for green coffee trading in the 19th century through the Brazilian port trade. It persists as the ICO's official reporting unit for historical continuity, enabling consistent comparison across decades of data. In practice, 60kg bags represent approximately 132 pounds of green coffee. A single 20-foot shipping container holds approximately 320 bags (19,200kg). Some origins use different sack weights internally (Colombia uses 70kg sacks domestically) but report to ICO in 60kg equivalents.