Category: News

Seed Coffee Roasters, a distinguished specialty coffee company based in Abu Dhabi, has ushered in the new year with three noteworthy announcements set to captivate coffee enthusiasts throughout Dubai and the UAE.

1. World of Coffee Dubai 2024: A Date with Coffee Excellence

Seed Coffee Roasters proudly unveils its participation in World of coffee Dubai 2024, the region’s paramount coffee industry event, slated to unfold from January 21 to 23 at the Dubai World Trade Center. Coffee aficionados are cordially invited to join the company in this immersive experience, featuring exclusive tasting sessions and educational opportunities in latte art, allowing attendees to delve into the intricacies of coffee creation.

Emphasizing a curated blend of flavor and knowledge, Seed Coffee Roasters extends an invitation to elevate participants’ coffee expertise through its specialized academy.

2. January Courses: Crafting Coffee Mastery

Furthering its commitment to coffee education, Seed Coffee Roasters announces the launch of Specialized Coffee Association courses and training throughout January 2024. This month-long journey offers enthusiasts an opportunity to refine their skills in various aspects of coffee arts – from roasting techniques to fundamental coffee preparation skills. Registration is open, and interested individuals can secure their spot by sending a direct message via the company’s Instagram account or visiting their website.

3. Free Community Event on January 7, 2024: A Celebration of Coffee Culture

In a bid to foster community spirit within the coffee realm, Seed Coffee Roasters extends a warm invitation to all coffee lovers for a free event on January 7, 2024. This special gathering promises engaging tasting sessions, insightful workshops, and open discussions exploring the authentic aspects of coffee quality and standards. Attendees can anticipate connecting with like-minded individuals and contributing to the thriving coffee community, all while savoring complimentary food and beverages provided by Seed Coffee Roasters.

As a company deeply committed to the essence of what lies within the cup, Seed Coffee Roasters prioritizes customer satisfaction, whether in running coffee establishments or distributing beans. Notably, the company emphasizes direct relationships with coffee producers, ensuring transparency from farm to cup. By hand-selecting farmers based on criteria like environmental sustainability, human rights, and business integrity, Seed Coffee Roasters maintains a dedication to fostering lasting relationships and full traceability within the coffee supply chain.

Chinese coffee consumption is growing quickly, spurring cut-throat competition between local and foreign coffee chains that have opened thousands of branded shops in recent months and surpassed the number of coffee stores in the United States.

Analysts expect China’s growing thirst for coffee to be a key driver of future demand for the beans as coffee shops expand beyond Beijing and Shanghai to dozens of mid-sized cities where young professionals have warmed to the beverage.
China’s rising coffee demand is an opportunity for international chains like Starbucks and Tim Hortons that are investing heavily in China, though they face a steep challenge from rapidly expanding local brands.

Data from the International Coffee Organization sent to Reuters shows coffee consumption in China grew 15% in the year-long season ended in September from the previous cycle to 3.08 million bags.
“The Chinese consumer is increasingly adopting Western life styles and coffee is obviously one of the beverages that represent that,” said Jason Yu, greater China managing director of market research firm Kantar Worldpanel.

The number of branded coffee shops in China grew a staggering 58% in the last 12 months to 49,691 outlets, according to Alegra Group, a company that tracks growth of coffee chains.
There is harsh competition between the local chains and international chains, said Matthew Barry, a beverages analyst for Euromonitor. Each one is trying to grab as big a share as they can of the growing market, he said.

Alegra Group estimates China’s Luckin Coffee (LC0Ay.MU) added 5,059 stores in the last 12 months, while another Chinese chain, Cotti Coffee, opened 6,004 outlets in the period.

“The scale of the opportunity is such that both (local and international chains) will have to be very aggressive in facing off against the other and I think that should ensure a very dynamic marketplace in the next few years,” Barry said.

U.S.-based Starbucks (SBUX.O) opened 700 stores in China in the last year and said it is on track to operate around 9,000 stores in the country by 2025, while Canada’s Tim Hortons plans to have 3,000 stores in the country in four years.

Seizing market share is one of Luckin’s core targets, Chief Executive Jinyi Guo said during the firm’s third quarter earnings call.

Store openings are now happening in China’s smaller cities, Jason Yu said, which still have millions of inhabitants each.

“So that basically means in those places there’s still a lot of white space for coffee chains to grow,” he said.

Zixi Zhao, a 20-year old Beijing student, said he drinks coffee every day.

“I started drinking when I went to college,” he said. “I don’t drink much tea in general, but my mom, my dad, my grandmother they all drink tea.”

Ruoxuan Zhao, a 19-year-old student from Beijing, said drinking coffee was part of the fast-paced lifestyle of young people in China, who welcome the caffeine boost.

HAPPY GROWERS
The development is good news for coffee producers already benefiting from high prices due to adverse weather in some growing regions. Arabica coffee futures are trading near the highest in eight months, while robusta coffee hit the highest in 15 years last week.

China imports coffee mostly from Africa and South America.

Brazil’s coffee exporters group Cecafe said that shipments to China will nearly triple in 2023 to surpass 1 million bags for the first time, making China its eighth-largest market.

The United States Department of Agriculture sees China using 5 million bags of coffee in the new season (2023/24), which would make it the world’s seventh-largest consumer.

Chinese coffee consumption still pales when compared to top consumers the United States and Brazil that use more than 20 million bags per year. But the growing demand signals China is undergoing a cultural change similar to other tea-loving Asian countries including Japan and South Korea.

In a recent publication by the World Population Review, comprehensive statistics regarding global coffee production have been unveiled, spotlighting the ten leading nations in this vital industry. Strikingly, the roster of top coffee producers markedly differs from the list of nations that rank highest in coffee consumption.

Before delving into the specifics of the leading coffee-producing countries, it is pertinent to acquaint ourselves with some noteworthy aspects of coffee cultivation. Originating as a fruit from coffee trees, the growth of coffee mirrors the intricate journey from seed to plant, a process that is not universally conducive to sustainable cultivation. Tracing its roots to the Ethiopian region, coffee cultivation and consumption subsequently permeated Yemen before spreading globally.

Coffee cultivation predominantly thrives in regions proximate to the equator, constituting the “coffee belt” between 25 degrees north and 30 degrees south. Encompassing Central and South America, Africa, and parts of Asia, this belt signifies the optimal climate for coffee growth, situated between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

Distinguished by two primary types, Arabica and Robusta, coffee beans contribute substantially to global production. Arabica beans are renowned for their mild and smooth flavor, while Robusta beans exhibit a bolder, more robust taste and higher caffeine content. Together, these two varieties account for the majority of the world’s coffee output.

While approximately seventy countries engage in coffee production, not all nations with coffee cultivation facilities export their products. Focusing on those actively contributing to the global market, fifty countries partake in coffee production and export.

Presented below is a list of the ten foremost coffee-producing countries, along with their respective annual production quantities (tons), based on the latest data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO):

1. Brazil – 2,993,780 tons
2. Vietnam – 1,845,033 tons
3. Indonesia – 765,415 tons
4. Colombia – 560,340 tons
5. Ethiopia – 456,000 tons
6. Honduras – 400,674 tons
7. Uganda – 374,760 tons
8. Peru – 365,582 tons
9. India – 334,000 tons
10. Guatemala – 226,700 tons

Further insights into three of the top ten coffee-producing nations offer a glimpse into their distinctive contributions to the global coffee industry:

Brazil: Undoubtedly, Brazil emerges as the foremost producer, both in quantity and pounds. Concentrated in São Paulo, Paraná, and Minas Gerais, Brazil’s coffee production primarily employs the dry process, emphasizing natural drying through exposure to sunlight.

Indonesia: Counted among the prolific Asian coffee producers, Indonesia boasts approximately one and a half million farmers engaged in coffee farming and production. Renowned for rarities such as kopi luwak, Indonesia’s coffee industry exhibits a dedication to quality, reflected in the premium status of its beans, including the expensive Kopi Luwak.

Honduras: Benefiting from geographical elevations exceeding the required altitude for coffee cultivation, Honduras stands out among coffee-producing nations. The country’s success in coffee production is attributed to strategic geographic advantages, with elevations reaching three thousand feet higher than necessary, contributing to its prominence in the global coffee market.

Coffee, celebrated for its captivating aroma and invigorating caffeine content, remains one of the globe’s most cherished beverages.More than 400 billion cups of coffee are consumed annually. Cultivated in over 70 tropical countries, its popularity knows no bounds.

Considered the world’s second-largest exported commodity, following oil, coffee production is spearheaded by Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia. Surprisingly, the highest per capita consumption occurs in Scandinavian nations, where the dark and chilly winters elevate coffee to a prized beverage. In the United States, annual consumption hovers around 4.4 kilograms or 9.7 pounds per person, ranking the nation as the 25th largest consumer on a per capita basis, with an average of three cups consumed daily.

Recently, the World Population Review unveiled statistics on global coffee consumption for the year 2023. The list underscores the dominance of Scandinavian countries in the top positions, revealing a surprising absence of any Arab nations despite their historical connection with coffee production, notably in Yemen and the Arabian Peninsula.

Notably, none of the major coffee-producing countries, such as Brazil and Colombia, secured a spot on the list, highlighting a distinctive gap between production and consumption.

The Top 10 Coffee-Consuming Countries Per Capita

Analyzing the data reveals Finland as the undisputed leader, boasting a remarkable annual consumption of 12 kilograms (26 pounds) per person. The top 20 countries, each with a distinctive coffee culture, include:

Finland – 12 kg / 26 lbs: Leading the world, Finns savor approximately four cups daily, with a legally mandated 10-minute coffee break for workers.

Norway – 9.9 kg/22 lbs: Norwegians, consuming over three cups daily, view coffee shops as social hubs rather than workspaces.

Iceland – 9 kg / 20 lbs: In Iceland, where beer was illegal until 1987, coffee serves as a crucial social drink, offered customarily to visitors.

Denmark – 8.7 kg/19 lbs: “Kaffeslabberas” signifies informal gatherings where coffee and cake are served, a tradition extended to weddings.

Netherlands – 8.4 kg/19 lbs: Dutch traders introduced coffee to the West, a historical feat shaping the global coffee landscape.

Sweden – 8.2kg/18lbs: The Swedes embrace “Fika,” a term for a prolonged coffee break fostering social connections.

Switzerland – 7.9 kg / 17 lbs: Combining coffee and wine in “Luzerner Kafi,” the Swiss contribute to coffee innovation, exemplified by Nespresso.

Belgium – 6.8 kg / 15 lbs: Belgian cities boast numerous cafes, with Café Wittamer serving the distinctive brulote espresso.

Luxembourg – 6.5 kg / 14 lbs: Despite its size, Luxembourg houses numerous cafes, from elegant establishments to quaint coffee shops.

Canada – 6.5 kg / 14 lbs: Representing the sole non-European entry, Canada pioneers coffee chains, notably Tim Hortons, a dominant force in the nation’s coffee culture.

This data provides a snapshot of the dynamic interplay between culture and coffee consumption, revealing unexpected leaders and underscoring the global diversity in the appreciation of this beloved beverage.