The 5 Countries That Produce the Most Coffee

Coffee is one of the world’s most consumed beverages. People consume about two billion cups of java every day, according to the British Coffee Association. While some of the world’s top coffee-producing nations are well-known, others may come as a surprise. More than 50 countries produce coffee, but the majority of global output comes from the top five producers: Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia.

Key Takeaways

• Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages.
• Brazil is the world’s top coffee producer, followed by Vietnam and Colombia.
• Indonesia and Ethiopia round out the list of top five coffee producers.

1. Brazil

The production of coffee has played a pivotal role in the development of Brazil and continues to be a driving force in the country’s economy. The plant was first brought to Brazil from French Guyana in the early 18th century by a Portuguese military officer. With the rise in popularity of coffee among Europeans, Brazil became the world’s largest producer in the 1840s and has been ever since. 

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Brazil is expected to produce 66.4 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee in the 2024-2025 marketing year, accounting for 38% of the world’s production.

2. Vietnam

Relatively new to the international coffee trade, Vietnam has quickly become one of the largest producers. In the 1980s, the Communist Party made a big bet on coffee, and production increased by 20% to 30% every year during the 1990s, completely transforming the nation’s economy. Vietnam is expected to produce 30.1 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee in 2024-2025, according to the USDA.

Vietnam found a niche in the international market by focusing primarily on the less-expensive robusta bean. Robusta beans can have up to twice the caffeine as Arabica beans, giving the coffee a more bitter taste. Vietnam is the top producer of Robusta coffee in the world. For 2024-2025 year, 29 million of the country’s 30.1 million bags produced were robusta.

3. Colombia

A popular advertising campaign featuring a fictional coffee farmer named Juan Valdez helped brand Colombia as one of the most famous coffee-producing nations. Colombia is renowned for its quality coffee and is expected to produce 12.9 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee in 2024-2025.

For several years beginning in 2008, Colombian coffee crops were hit by a leaf disease known as coffee rust. Output plummeted but has since rebounded as the country replaced trees with rust-resistant varieties. Colombia ranks second in Arabica production, and millions worldwide prefer their mild, well-balanced flavor.

Note

The Netherlands has the highest volume of coffee sales per capita. The country’s sales totaled 8.11 kilograms in 2023. Finland and Denmark followed with sales reaching 7.99 kilograms and 6.88 kilograms respectively.

4. Ethiopia

Ethiopia is the fourth largest producer of coffee. As of the 2023–2024 year, it and is expected to produce 8.35 million 60-kilogram bags. Ethiopia is the largest coffee producer in Africa and has experienced continual growth in the past three years, according to the USDA.

5. Indonesia

Indonesia’s location and climate have helped it become the third-largest producer of robusta beans in the world. Total production, including Robusta and Arabica, is 8.15 million 60-kilogram bags in the 2023–2024 marketing year. In Indonesia, there are 1.2 million hectares of coffee crops, while small, independent farms account for the vast majority of output, each owning one to two hectares.

Indonesia produces several types of highly sought-after specialty coffees, the most interesting of which is Kopi Luwak. Harvested from the feces of Asian palm civets, the beans have a distinctive and understandably unique flavor. The process of collecting and harvesting the beans is rather intensive, and the result is one of the most expensive coffee beans in the world.

Which Country Produces the Most Coffee?

Brazil produces most of the world’s coffee. In 2023-2024, it produced 39% of the world’s coffee of 66.3 million 60 kg bags. It was followed by Vietnam, which produced 17% or 29.1 million 60 kg bags, and Colombia, which produced 7% or 12.2 million 60 kg bags.

How Much Coffee Was Produced in 2023?

Global coffee production reached 164.41 million 60 kg bags during the 2022-2023 season. That figure is expected to reach 169.18 million 60 kg bags during the 2023-2024 season.

How Many Cups of Coffee Are Consumed Each Day?

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. According to the British Coffee Association, as many as two million cups of coffee are consumed by people each day. The volume of capital sales per capita in the Netherlands totaled 8.11 kilograms, followed by Finland and Denmark, which saw 7.99 kg and 6.88 kilograms.

The Bottom Line

Coffee is consumed all around the world and is one of the world’s most popular beverages. Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Indonesia are the world’s top producers of coffee. The European Union (EU) and the United States are the two largest importers of coffee, with estimates reaching 47.5 million and 24.5 million bags during the 2024-2025 season.