Decaffeinated or roasted coffee market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the volume of the roasted coffee market in Italy grew from 208.7 thousand tons to 395.5 thousand tons. This expansion was primarily driven by the rising popularity of capsule and pod coffee, which prompted roasters to launch new decaffeinated lines in single-serve formats. The consolidation of major groups like JDE, Nestlé, Lavazza, Illy, and Borbone reinforced their control over more than half of the roasted coffee volume. In 2019, a surge in domestic consumption of capsule coffee, with a 24.6% value increase, led roasters to introduce decaffeinated capsules to meet low-caffeine demand. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 accelerated this shift, as prolonged closures in the Ho.Re.Ca. channel boosted home consumption, with capsule and pod volume growing by 12.3% and roasters launching premium decaffeinated options for home use.

After peaking in 2020, market volume fell to 275.7 thousand tons in 2021, partly due to strengthened Italian exports of roasted coffee, which captured 6.1% of global value and reduced domestic availability. The introduction of EU traceability regulations (Regulation EU No. 1338/2019) also prompted roasters to implement more detailed labeling for decaffeinated varieties. A rebound to 413.9 thousand tons occurred in 2022 as Italy achieved European leadership in roasted coffee production, accounting for 25% of EU output, supported by new premium decaffeinated lines from Lavazza and Illy targeting health-conscious consumers. However, market volume declined to 277.1 thousand tons in 2023, even though consumption of decaffeinated coffee within Italy grew, with 82% of respondents alternating between espresso and decaffeinated, spurred by low-caffeine marketing and compatible capsules. New EU labeling rules for residual caffeine percentage increased product transparency. By 2024, market volume stood at 258.7 thousand tons, with record imports of green coffee ensuring ample roasting stock, while updated packaging requirements for recyclable materials affected container design for decaffeinated products.

Production decaffeinated or roasted coffee in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's decaffeinated or roasted coffee production saw a rebound in 2020 after two years of decline. The output was valued at 4 988 million US dollars, marking a robust 12.3% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 15.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 5.4%. The lowest point was in 2019, with production valued at 4 441 million US dollars, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018, at 24.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy's decaffeinated or roasted coffee production increased for the second year in a row in 2020. The country produced 615.7 thousand tonnes, reflecting a significant rise of 21.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 8.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 413.9 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 38.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase, at 23.0%.

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

Exports decaffeinated or roasted coffee from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Italy's exports of decaffeinated or roasted coffee declined in 2020. Exports totaled 244.4 thousand tonnes, showing a modest year-on-year decrease of 6.1%. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall increased by 16%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The peak was in 2019 at 260.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 16.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's exports of decaffeinated or roasted coffee in volume terms were widely distributed across partner countries. Germany accounted for 22.4% of exports, France for 9.5%, and Austria for 5.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 37.5% of total export flows, indicating a diverse market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of gains, Italy's cross-border shipments of decaffeinated or roasted coffee declined in 2020. The export value amounted to 1 685 million US dollars, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 696 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's export portfolio for decaffeinated or roasted coffee in value terms was quite broad. Germany held a 14.8% share, France 10.3%, and the United States 5.7%. Combined, these three countries accounted for just 30.8% of total export flows, highlighting the spread of trade partners.

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

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

Imports decaffeinated or roasted coffee to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy's imports of decaffeinated or roasted coffee stood at 24.2 thousand tonnes, showing a small decline of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 9.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 17.8 thousand tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 24.3 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 19.7%, whereas 2019 saw the biggest increase, at 37.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Spain remained the main suppliers of decaffeinated or roasted coffee to Italy in volume terms. Germany accounted for 38.7% of imports, France for 26.8%, and Spain for 8.6%. Together, these three countries formed 74.1% of total imports, indicating a concentrated supply base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's imports of decaffeinated or roasted coffee increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports tallied 275 million US dollars, equivalent to a moderate year-on-year rise of 4.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 251 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 1.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase, at 5.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and Spain were the largest suppliers of decaffeinated or roasted coffee to Italy in value terms. France dominated with a 64.5% share, followed by Germany at 14.5%, and Spain at 5.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 84.7% of total imports, underscoring a highly concentrated import structure.

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

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