Brazilian coffee exports to China are expected to see a dramatic increase in 2024, with projections indicating a 65 percent rise compared to the previous year. The Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafé) anticipates that exports will reach 2.5 million bags, reflecting a growing demand for coffee in the Chinese market.
The value of Brazilian coffee exports to China is estimated to hit a remarkable US$525 million this year. This surge in trade is largely attributed to a recent memorandum of understanding with Luckin Coffee, China’s largest coffee chain. With over 16,000 outlets in more than 240 cities, Luckin Coffee has agreed, through a deal with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), to purchase 1 million bags of Brazilian coffee annually over the next two years. This agreement is valued at US$500 million.
The projected increase highlights a significant growth compared to 2023 when Brazil sold US$280 million worth of coffee to Chinese buyers. The rapid expansion of Luckin Coffee, which has surpassed Starbucks in sales value within China, further underscores the escalating demand for coffee in the country.
In 2013, approximately 190 million people in China were coffee drinkers. Over the past decade, that number has risen by more than 70 percent to 330 million, now encompassing a quarter of the Chinese population. According to Cecafé CEO Marcos Mattos, young office workers, particularly women, are the primary consumers driving this trend.
As the world’s leading coffee producer, Brazil harvested 55 million bags in the most recent growing season, far outstripping competitors like Vietnam and Colombia. Brazil’s reputation for producing quality beans at competitive prices, coupled with its diverse coffee varieties and robust industry infrastructure, makes it a preferred supplier for China.
China’s increasing demand for coffee, especially for blends that combine beans from various sources, is expected to continue benefiting Brazil. Orlando Editore, head of coffee at the Datagro consultancy, emphasized the significance of this trend, noting that China’s growth will further boost the demand for Brazilian coffee, particularly for these popular blends.