Coffee, husks, skins and substitutes market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for coffee, husks, skins and substitutes in the SADC region experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 179 thousand tons in 2018, it dropped to 155 thousand tons in 2019 and further to 125 thousand tons in 2020. A recovery followed, with the market reaching 158 thousand tons in 2022, before declining again to 123 thousand tons in 2023.

In the later part of the period, the market environment began to shift. Within the region, South Africa saw growth in at-home coffee consumption, driving innovation in coffee machines and equipment, alongside a proliferation of coffee shops and specialty roasters catering to evolving tastes. By 2024, adverse weather in major global coffee-producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam led to significant price increases. This period also saw rising consumer demand for specialty coffee, ready-to-drink formats, and a shift toward instant coffee for convenience and cost reasons, shaping the overall market dynamics.

Production coffee, husks, skins and substitutes in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

World map of production of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of growth, production of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes in SADC declined. In 2020, SADC produced 188.1 K t of these products, marking a 15.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production overall increased by 4.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 221.6 K t, with the largest annual increase also occurring that year at 19.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in SADC in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes from SADC

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports varied considerably, with a 2.6-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2019. In 2020, SADC's export volume of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes amounted to 91 854 t, representing a 2.6% drop year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 35 905 t, while the maximum was in 2019 at 94 342 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 39.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 162.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from SADC in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of exports in kind remained diverse and scattered. Japan accounted for 14.7% of exports in kind, Germany for 12.6%, and Italy for 11.5%. Together, these three partners represented just 38.9% of total flows, with no single country emerging as clearly dominant.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from SADC in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a fourfold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2020. In 2020, SADC exported 199.2 M $ US of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes, which remained relatively stable compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 50.2 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 72.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 295.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from SADC in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market base for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad. Japan accounted for 17.2% of exports in value terms, Germany for 12.3%, and Italy for 8.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented just 38.2% of total flows, with the remaining 61.8% distributed among numerous other nations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from SADC in value, 2017-2020

Imports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes to SADC

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, SADC imported 28 972 t of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes, indicating a moderate increase of 3.6% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 27 972 t, while the maximum was in 2018 at 29 280 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to SADC in kind, 2017-2020, t

The partner structure of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. Brazil accounted for 25.2% of imports in kind, Vietnam for 16.0%, and Indonesia for 7.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 48.2% of total flows, with no single nation holding a dominant share.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to SADC in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

SADC's import volume of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 101.6 M $ US, reflecting a modest decline of 9.7% compared with 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 6.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 130.8 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 14.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to SADC in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Data for 2017–2020 indicate that imports in value terms of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes to SADC were not concentrated on a few key destinations. Switzerland accounted for 15.6% of imports in value terms, Brazil for 13.4%, and Vietnam for 8.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 37.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to SADC in value, 2017-2020