10 Coffee Facts to Celebrate International Coffee Day

Today, October 1st, is International Coffee Day. Every year the world comes together to celebrate coffee and the millions of people around the world – farmers, roasters, baristas, coffee shop owners, and coffee packaging designers – who create and serve the beverage we all love.

To celebrate this centuries old, and ever-changing industry, keep reading our 10 International Coffee Day facts (preferably with a coffee in hand!).

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1. The global coffee market shows no signs of stopping

The global coffee market is predicted to hit more than $102 billion by 2023^[1], growing by 4.32 % during the period 2018 – 2023. There are a few reasons for this, including an increasing millennial consumer base, and the variety of ways coffee can now be prepared and purchased. From ground coffee and coffee capsules, to alcoholic cold brew coffee and fruit-flavoured coffee products (more on this later), there is a wealth of choice to suit all preferences.

2. Finland is the world’s coffee capital

Though Finland does not produce any beans of its own, its citizens consume a huge amount of coffee – more than any other country in the world. According to the Telegraph, each person gets through an impressive 12 kg of coffee every year! Helsinki-based Paulig Barista Institute reports that 80 % of the coffee consumed in Finland is light roasted and most is brewed with a drip/filter coffee machine.

3. Innovative coffee packaging is fuelling a new market

The rise in coffee consumption and demand for coffee in hotels, restaurants, and offices are all contributing to the growth of a new market: innovative coffee packaging. This gives coffee brands an opportunity to experiment with innovative packaging types to delight consumers. Steeped Inc., a US-based start-up, has been creating a buzz throughout industry with its environmentally-responsible approach. Its proprietary single-serve brewing method delivers freshly ground coffee in bags made using renewable and compostable materials. Consumers simply need to add hot water to the Steeped Bags to get their cup of coffee.

4. Fruit-flavored coffee products are attracting young coffee drinkers

According to Mintel^[2], the US is currently the driver behind coffee and ready-to-drink (RTD) iced coffee launches featuring fruit products as ingredients. However, Asia-Pacific’s younger generation have also expressed interest in subtler-flavored coffee. More than one in four Chinese coffee drinkers aged 20-24 say that they prefer coffee that tastes less bitter. And Nestlé has jumped on this opportunity by introducing fruit-flavored instant coffee in the region.

5. Busy consumers crave the convenience of ready-to-drink

The global ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee market is forecasted to reach $12.61 billion by 2024^[3], a growth of 4.5 % during the forecast period (2019 – 2024). The convenience coffee category has seen many innovative RTD products launch this year; from cold brews to sparkling canned coffee, snap chilled and high-protein RTD coffee.

Related read: Leading coffee brand reduces its packaging’s carbon footprint by 30 %

6. Coffee bars are growing in popularity

Coffee bars are witnessing an increased footfall worldwide. For example, Starbucks grew from 19,767 stores in 2013 to 28,720 stores globally in just five years. In Europe, the UK experienced the highest number of new coffee shops in 2018^[4], while the highest growth rates were seen in Romania, Denmark and Cyprus

7. Brands are experimenting with alcoholic coffee

The trend for coffee in alcoholic beverages looks set to continue (depending on regional regulations surrounding caffeine and alcohol) and several producers are innovating. In the UK, Mast-Jagermeister is set to launch its Jagermeister Cold Brew Coffee, which sees the Jagermeister recipe fused with cold-brewed Arabica coffee.

8. The entire coffee supply chain is becoming more sustainable

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the coffee industry. As global demand for coffee looks set to double by 2050, global coffee giants are constantly re-evaluating their sustainability efforts to minimize their environmental impact and create a more sustainable supply chain. Founded in 2004, the Lavazza Foundation supports small communities of coffee growers across 15 countries via more than 20 social and environmental sustainability projects, reaching over 90,000 people.

9. More sustainable coffee pods are coming

Last month, Nespresso expanded its doorstep capsule recycling program to China. Now, any customer in China can have a courier come to their door to pick up used coffee capsules. The aluminium from the capsules will be made into new products, including Nespresso-branded knives, while the used coffee grounds will be used as fertilizer for Nespresso’s eco-farm on Chongming Island, by the Yangtze River near Shanghai.

10. Consumers care about how their purchases impact the environment

Purchasing coffee that is produced ethically and with minimal impact upon the environment matters to consumers, who want to know what brands are doing to make a difference. In a global study by Accenture^[5] of 35,000 people in 35 countries, two-thirds of consumers make decisions about what to buy based on a company’s transparency about how they’re protecting the environment, tackling climate change, and stemming gender inequality.

I hope you enjoyed these coffee facts – how are you celebrating International Coffee Day?

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^[1] Source: Coffee Market Research Report - Global Forecast to 2023, by Market Research Future (MRFR)

^[2] Source: https://www.mintel.com/blog/drink-market-news/coffee-broadens-its-appeal-with-fruit

^[3] Source : https://www.foodbev.com/news/ready-to-drink-beverage-trends/

^{[4] Source: https://dailycoffeenews.com/2018/12/12/european-coffee-shop-market-grew-6-percent-in-2018-allegra-says/**}

^[5] Source : https://www.accenture.com/_acnmedia/thought-leadership-assets/pdf/accenture-competitiveagility-gcpr-pov.pdf