Unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee market in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Earlier Report Observations

The market for unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began the period at 39 112 t in 2018. High fiscal and para-fiscal burdens had long discouraged local production by pushing operators to export via neighboring countries to avoid taxes. Despite these constraints, production partially recovered in 2019, lifting market volume to 41 834 t, followed by stabilization around 41 000 t in 2020.

Growth accelerated from 2021 onward. The government's acquisition of a roaster with a capacity over 30 t per day for ONAPAC aimed to enhance local processing and improve coffee quality, supporting market expansion to 44 927 t. In 2022, the transformation of the National Coffee Office into the National Agricultural Products Office of Congo broadened its mandate to promote multiple agricultural products, including coffee, further strengthening institutional support and helping drive market volume to a peak of 55 475 t.

By 2023, domestic production continued its climb to 62 405 t, though the market size eased slightly to 54 796 t as exports increased. The overall trend from 2018 to 2023 shows a substantial expansion in local coffee availability, underpinned by efforts to modernize processing and reinforce agricultural institutions.

Production unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee in Democratic Republic of the Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo ranked 23rd 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

Unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 53 303 tonnes, marking a 0.7% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 32.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was valued at 71 794 thousand US dollars, reflecting a notable 11.7% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at 64 278 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 74 259 thousand US dollars. The most significant drop was in 2019, with a decline of 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo exported 12 233 tonnes of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee, up 9.8% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 12.8%, averaging 4.1% growth per year. The peak was in 2018 at 12 387 tonnes, with the largest decline of 10.0% in 2019 and the biggest increase of 14.2% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland remained the top buyers of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, accounting for 19.8%, 18.2%, and 16.3% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, they made up 54.3% of total exports.

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

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee exports rebounded in 2020, reaching 16 476 thousand US dollars—a solid 21.8% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 15.5%, equivalent to an annualized decrease of 5.5%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 13 531 thousand US dollars, with the steepest drop of 24.3% that same year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy continued to be the main buyers of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in value terms, representing 21.2%, 17.6%, and 15.8% of exports, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 54.5% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020

Imports unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee in the Democratic Republic of the Congo showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, imports totaled 16 tonnes, a sharp 58.7% decrease from the previous year. The lowest point was in 2018 at 15 tonnes, with the largest decline of 87.6% that year and the biggest increase of 159.3% in 2019. Overall, imports peaked in 2017 and hit a trough in 2018, with an 8.1-fold difference between these years.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017-2020, South Africa dominated the Democratic Republic of the Congo's imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee in volume, consistently making up 76.5% of the total. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee imports in the Democratic Republic of the Congo exhibited volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, imports stood at 14 thousand US dollars, a sharp 29.4% rise from the previous year. The minimum was in 2018 at 8 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 86.2% that year and the biggest increase of 35.7% in 2019. Imports varied significantly, with a 7.3-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, China, and Belgium were the key sources for the Democratic Republic of the Congo's imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee in value terms, accounting for 50.4%, 20.4%, and 10.4%, respectively. Together, they represented 81.1% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Democratic Republic of the Congo in value, 2017-2020