The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 1st October, as International Coffee Day, following the adoption of a resolution on 10th March.
“Coffee is more than a beverage, it is a globally traded commodity – from beans to the coffee service – that sustains the livelihoods of millions of farming households, and connects rural communities to markets across the world,” said QU Dongyu, director general of the Food and Agriculture Organization.
“Recognising the value of the coffee sector will raise awareness about its socio-economic importance and strengthen its contribution to eradicating poverty. We look forward to celebrating the Day and its values.”
A US$200 billion global industry
With the establishment of the new observance, coffee joins tea, the world’s most consumed beverage after water, celebrated on 21st May, among commodities with a dedicated international day.
Coffee is among the world’s most traded commodities and has one of the most lucrative value chains. According to the FAO, the global coffee industry generates more than US$200 billion in annual revenue, driven by continuously growing demand.
Strong demand in traditional markets such as the United States and Europe, alongside rising domestic consumption in countries including Indonesia, Middle Eastern countries and China, has pushed annual per-capita consumption up by an average of 1.2% per year over the past decade, the U.N. agency said.
The coffee sector supports the livelihoods of approximately 25 million farmers worldwide, with production having surpassed 11 million metric tons. In East Africa, the continent’s leading production zone, coffee is a vital source of foreign exchange and plays a major role in trade balances.
“In 2024, coffee accounted for 27.9% of Ethiopia’s total commodity exports, 20.1% of Uganda’s, and 19.5% of Burundi’s. In Ethiopia and Uganda, coffee export revenues exceeded food import expenses, while in Burundi, they accounted for nearly 20% of the value of imported food products,” the FAO said.
