Unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the domestic market volume for unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee in Zambia fell sharply from 8 391 t to 3 170 t. This contraction occurred despite relatively stable domestic production, as a surge in exports redirected beans away from local consumption. The export boom began in earnest in 2019, with a 219% increase compared to 2017, signaling strong and growing international market interest.

Government-led initiatives and international support for smallholder farmers, highlighted from 2018 onward, helped maintain production capacity. From 2020, steadily rising export prices made overseas sales increasingly attractive for producers. By 2023, Zambia had secured access to major markets including Germany and the United States, a move supported by export diversification policies and exchange rate depreciation, which further incentivized shipments.

Global factors continued to shape the market, with supply chain constraints and high international coffee prices influencing trade into 2024. New cross-border regulations, such as the EU deforestation law, also introduced compliance considerations for Zambian exporters targeting European markets.

Production unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

Zambia's production of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee reached 8,760 tonnes in 2020, marking a slight decline of 2.7% from the previous year. Production hit its lowest point in 2018 at 8,515 tonnes, which represented the largest annual decrease of 2.8%. The peak occurred in 2019 with 9,004 tonnes, showing the highest increase of 5.7%.

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

Exports unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee from Zambia displayed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest level in 2018 at just 164 tonnes, which was a dramatic 92.1% drop from the previous year. However, they rebounded sharply in 2019 with a massive 785.1% increase. By 2020, exports had surged to 2,853 tonnes, representing a 96.6% rise from 2019 and a 17-fold difference from the 2018 low.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia's exports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee were primarily concentrated in three key markets: the Netherlands (31.2% of total exports by volume), Germany (23.9%), and the United States (17.6%). Together, these three countries accounted for 72.7% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Zambia's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee exports showed considerable volatility over these years. The lowest point came in 2018 at $543,000 US, which was a 91.2% decrease from the previous year. Exports then jumped by 513.0% in 2019. By 2020, they had reached $6,687,000 US, marking a 101.0% increase from 2019 and creating a 12.3-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States were the dominant markets for Zambia's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee exports in value terms, collectively representing 74.0% of total export revenue.

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

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

Imports unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

Zambia's imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee showed strong growth from 2017 to 2020, increasing by 130.8% overall with a compound annual growth rate of 32.1%. The largest annual decline was 2.4% in 2019, while the biggest increase of 66.1% occurred in 2018. By 2020, imports had reached 55 tonnes, reflecting a substantial 42.3% rise from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the leading source of Zambia's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee imports by volume, accounting for 65.4% of the total. Germany followed with 11.2%, and Malaysia with 10.8%. Together, these three countries supplied 87.5% of all imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Zambia's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee imports exhibited volatility during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, while the peak came in 2020 at $165,000 US, representing a 58.6% increase from the previous year. The largest annual decline of 34.2% occurred in 2019, while the biggest increase of 109.3% was recorded in 2018. Overall, there was a 2.2-fold variation between the highest and lowest values.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa dominated Zambia's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee imports in value terms, representing 66.7% of the total. Germany accounted for 10.9%, and Malaysia for 10.2%. Collectively, these three markets made up 87.8% of import spending.

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

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