Unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

The Bolivian market for unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee expanded significantly in 2019, reaching 23 621 tons. This growth was primarily driven by the launch of the National Coffee Farming Investment Program, a five-year plan backed by $26.1 million in funding to boost production and exports of specialty coffee. Additionally, the establishment of the Coffee Institute of Bolivia as a decentralized public entity aimed at developing the coffee sector and expanding both domestic and international markets provided further impetus.

Market volume then entered a period of adjustment from 2020 to 2022, declining to 20 766 tons. During this phase, the sector faced documented challenges including quality instability, pest presence, and a lack of new plantations, which affected its competitiveness. Infrastructure limitations, technological gaps, and market access barriers also hindered production and export capacity. Meanwhile, the growth of specialty coffee shops in major cities and producing municipalities signaled a shift in domestic consumption patterns, even as overall market size contracted.

A recovery began in 2023, with market volume rising to 21 789 tons. This turnaround was supported by the consolidation of the Caranavi region as the main producer of specialty coffees, attracting new investors to high-quality agricultural production. Concurrently, sustained promotion of sustainable practices and fair trade by both the government and private actors helped renew focus on quality and cooperative sustainability, fostering a more resilient market structure.

Production unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Bolivia ranked 30th globally in the production of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee.

Top producers of unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee, 2017-2020

World map of production of unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Bolivia's production of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee declined. In 2020, the country produced 23 401 tonnes, marking a moderate decrease of 5.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 10.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 24 841 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 12.3% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Bolivia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of gains, the value of Bolivia's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee production fell. In 2020, output was valued at 160.3 million US dollars, representing a measured decline of 7.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 14.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 173.1 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 17.0% also recorded that year.

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

Exports unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee from Bolivia

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, Bolivia's exports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee increased. In 2020, export volume totaled 1 256 tonnes, reflecting a small rise of 2.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 16.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 221 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (40.0% of exports in volume), France (18.0%), and Belgium (8.3%) were the main destinations for Bolivia's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee exports, collectively accounting for 66.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Bolivia's exports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee by value increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 8 607 thousand US dollars, showing a slight rise of 1.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 13.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 512 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual decline of 9.3% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (36.6% of exports by value), France (14.9%), and Japan (11.0%) consistently led as the top destinations for Bolivia's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee exports, together accounting for 62.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

The market for imports showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 5.6-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Bolivia imported 1 tonne of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee, representing a rise of 10.6% from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.3 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 82.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 260.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Brazil formed a highly concentrated pair of markets for Bolivia's imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee by volume, together accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2020 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 4.3-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Bolivia's imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee totaled 3 thousand US dollars, which is 21.9% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual decline of 72.9% also occurring that year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 254.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States and Brazil concentrated 98.2% of Bolivia's total imports by value of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee, while the remaining share was distributed among other destinations with smaller individual contributions.

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

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