New report highlights coffee’s shared value chain linking producing countries and Europe
Around the world, an estimated 12.5mln farming households depend on coffee for their livelihoods, around 85 per cent of them smallholders
KAMPALA, June 27, 2026 — Coffee supports livelihoods for millions of farming families in producing countries while generating jobs and economic activity across Europe, according to a new report published today by the European Coffee Federation [ECF] and prepared by Europe Economics.
“Coffee is often viewed simply as an agricultural commodity or a daily consumer product. This report shows that coffee is much more. It is a shared value chain connecting farming families in producing countries with local businesses, workers and consumers across Europe. Recognising this interdependence is essential to supporting a resilient and sustainable future for the coffee sector,” said Eileen Gordon-Laity, Secretary General, ECF.
Around the world, an estimated 12.5mln farming households depend on coffee for their livelihoods, around 85 per cent of them smallholders. Europe remains the world’s largest coffee market, accounting for around 28 per cent of global coffee consumption and providing an important destination for coffee exports from producing countries.
The report finds that coffee supports around 1.5mln direct full-time equivalent jobs and generates €84.4 billion in direct Gross Value Added [GVA] across the 27 Partner States of the European Union [EU] or EU27. More than 87 per cent of these jobs are found in hotel, restaurant, and catering [HORECA], highlighting the importance of coffee to local businesses and communities throughout Europe.
Because coffee cannot be grown in Europe, the sector depends on a close relationship between producing countries and destination markets. The report finds that each €1 of direct coffee output is associated with around €2.60 of total output once indirect and induced effects are included.
For many producing countries, European demand is particularly important. Although Burundi and Uganda account for only around 0.2 per cent and 5.6 per cent of total EU+ coffee imports respectively, the EU+ market absorbs around 91 per cent of Burundi’s coffee exports and approximately 56 per cent of Uganda’s. These figures illustrate how European demand supports coffee-producing economies and the communities that depend on them.
“We are pleased to have contributed to this wide-ranging assessment of coffee’s economic contribution across the EU27. The findings provide an evidence-based picture of the employment and economic activity supported throughout the coffee value chain,” said Andrew Lilico, Executive Director and Principal, Europe Economics.
The European Coffee Federation [ECF] is the unified voice of Europe’s coffee trade and industry, representing around 90 per cent of all coffee imported and processed in the EU. Founded in 1981, ECF brings together 16 national associations and 48 company members, representing more than 750 companies across Europe, from small and medium enterprises [SMEs] to global operators.
According to the report, large producing countries such as Brazil, Vietnam and Colombia rely on Europe as a major destination market. For smaller or more coffee-dependent economies, the EU+ market can be strategically important.
In 2024, the report notes, EU+ demand accounted for around 91 per cent of Burundi’s coffee exports, 66 per cent of Honduras’s, 60 per cent of Rwanda’s, 56 per cent of Uganda’s and 34 per cent of Ethiopia’s. “EU+ coffee imports were equivalent to around 13 per cent of Burundi’s total goods exports, 12 per cent of Honduras’s, 12 per cent of Ethiopia’s and 11 per cent of Uganda’s,” the report says.
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