KAMPALA, March 12, 2026 — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations [ FAO ] has welcomed the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly proclaiming October 1 as International Coffee Day.
Approved on Tuesday in New York, the resolution recognises the cultural, social and historical significance of coffee, from its origins to its vital role in modern societies. It notes that coffee has become not only an important agricultural commodity and a key source of livelihood for communities, but also a symbol of social interaction, cultural expression and everyday tradition across generations.
The resolution also highlights the contribution of coffee production and processing to several global development priorities, including the fight against hunger, the reduction of extreme poverty, the empowerment of women and the promotion of decent work and economic growth.
“Coffee is more than a beverage; it is a globally traded commodity — from beans to the cup — that sustains the livelihoods of millions of farming households and connects rural communities to markets around the world,” said Qu Dongyu, Director-General of FAO. “Recognising the value of the coffee sector will raise awareness about its socio-economic importance and strengthen its contribution to eradicating poverty. We look forward to celebrating the Day and its values.”
The resolution was submitted to the General Assembly after it was first adopted by the FAO Conference during its 44th session in 2025.
Under the resolution, FAO has been invited to facilitate the observance of International Coffee Day in collaboration with relevant organisations, particularly the International Coffee Organization.
Importance of coffee
Coffee is among the most widely consumed beverages in the world, with global per capita consumption rising by about 1.2 per cent annually over the past decade. The sector supports the livelihoods of around 25 million farmers and generates employment across the entire coffee value chain. Overall, the global coffee industry generates more than US$ 200 billion in annual revenue.
Coffee also remains one of the world’s most traded commodities. In 2024, global production surpassed 11 million tonnes, with roughly 8 million tonnes traded internationally. That year, the value of global coffee production was estimated at nearly US$ 25 billion, while international trade in coffee beans reached about US$ 34 billion.
For many low-income countries, coffee exports remain a crucial source of foreign exchange. In 2024, coffee accounted for 27.9 per cent of total merchandise exports in Ethiopia, 20.1 per cent in Uganda and 19.5 per cent in Burundi. In both Ethiopia and Uganda, coffee export revenues exceeded food import bills, while in Burundi they represented nearly 20 per cent of the country’s food import bill.
In the same year, Brazil and Vietnam were the leading coffee exporters, while the European Union and the United States were the largest importers.
FAO support for coffee-producing countries
FAO supports coffee-producing countries and communities through a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening the sector.
To address the impacts of climate change, the organisation is helping farmers adapt through pest management programmes, conservation of traditional coffee systems in Panama through FAO’s Farmer Field Schools programme, agroforestry initiatives and climate-resilient coffee varieties in East Africa, as well as strengthened cooperative models in Cuba.
FAO is also assisting producers to meet evolving market demands, particularly requirements for traceability and compliance with sustainability standards. The organisation is working with governments and producers in countries such as Honduras, Guatemala and Uganda to develop robust traceability systems, align national policies with international frameworks and mobilise investment for more than 200,000 smallholder farmers.
Through its Investment Centre and programmes such as the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative, FAO is also helping countries attract financing to strengthen farmer livelihoods and build long-term value in the coffee sector. In Brazil, Costa Rica and Honduras, projects implemented with partners including the World Bank are improving efficiency and increasing farmer incomes. In El Salvador, FAO supported the development of a comprehensive national coffee plan.
With the establishment of International Coffee Day, FAO said it stands ready to work with member states and partners to ensure the day becomes a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing and action across the entire coffee value chain.
By highlighting both the challenges and opportunities facing millions of coffee producers worldwide, the observance aims to strengthen global commitment to an efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable coffee sector that contributes meaningfully to food security and rural development.
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