Coffee Producing Countries 2024

Did you know that coffee starts as fruit from cherry-like trees? That’s right! Coffee beans are produced from a cherry-like fruit. And like every product that starts as a seed and becomes a plant before the finished product is arrived at, coffee grows well or sustainably only in some parts of the world. Most coffee producing countries share similar characteristics in terms of the factors that enable rich coffee harvests.

The prime location for coffee growth is called the Bean Belt. This title refers to the area between 25° N and 30° S. Coffee thrives in warmer climates, so anywhere that is too far north or south will not be ideal or suitable to grow coffee. Coffee export and import are most common in Africa, Asia, South America, and North America, with the exception of Canada.

Roughly seventy countries produce coffee, but not every nation that grows its own cherry-like trees and manufactures coffee beans also exports coffee. Only fifty coffee producing countries export coffee.

Here are the ten countries that are reported as having the highest rates of coffee production:

Here is a quick breakdown of the top seven coffee producing countries.

1. Brazil

Brazil is undoubtedly the largest coffee producer in the world. The top three coffee growing cities and regions in Brazil are São Paulo, Parana, and Minas Gerais, all of which are in the southeasternmost region of the country. The most common method of coffee production is the dry process, in which the coffee is not washed with water, unlike in the wet process. Rather, in the dry process, the coffee cherries are left out to air dry, dehydrated naturally by the heat of the sun, making this process as close to completely natural as coffee production can be.

2. Vietnam

Vietnam is the second-largest coffee producer in the world, known primarily for its robusta beans, which make up the majority of the country’s coffee production. The central highlands region, particularly the provinces of Đắk Lắk, Lâm Đồng, and Gia Lai, is the heart of Vietnam’s coffee industry with its rich soil and ideal climate. Unlike many other coffee-producing nations that focus on arabica beans, Vietnam’s robusta beans are often used in instant coffee and espresso blends thanks to their stronger flavor and higher caffeine content. The coffee is typically processed using the wet method, where the beans are washed and then fermented to remove the outer layers before drying.

3. Colombia

Colombia is renowned for producing some of the highest-quality arabica beans in the world. Its ideal growing conditions, characterized by volcanic soil, high altitudes, and a mild climate, make regions like Antioquia, Caldas, and Tolima key coffee-producing areas. Colombian coffee is celebrated for its smooth, balanced flavor with bright acidity, making it a favorite among coffee enthusiasts globally. Coffee farming plays a crucial role in Colombia’s economy, providing livelihoods for hundreds of thousands of small-scale farmers, and the country’s dedication to sustainability and fair trade practices has helped cement its reputation in the global coffee market.

4. Indonesia

Indonesia is one of many Asian countries that produce an impressively vast amount of coffee on an annual basis. In fact, the country is home to about one-and-a-half million farmers who operate coffee farms and production companies of their own. Some of the rarest coffees in the Western world originate in Indonesia, including but certainly not limited to a bean called Kopi Luwak. Indonesian coffee farmers do not take coffee growing, roasting, and producing lightly by any means, and it shows in their finished product. For example, the Kopi Luwak coffee bean from Indonesia is one of the priciest beans across the globe.

5. Ethiopia

Ethiopia has placed as the fifth largest coffee producer since at least 2019. This African country is often regarded as the birthplace of coffee, its rich tradition of coffee cultivation dating back centuries. Ethiopia is famous for its wide range of coffee varieties, many of which are grown in the highlands of regions like Sidamo, Yirgacheffe, and Harrar. Ethiopian coffee is prized for its complex flavor profiles, often featuring fruity and floral notes with bright acidity. Coffee plays a vital role in the culture and economy of Ethiopia, with smallholder farmers making up the majority of producers. The country’s deep connection to coffee is also reflected in the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a social and cultural ritual that celebrates the role of coffee in everyday life.

6. Uganda

Uganda is one of Africa’s leading coffee producers, known for its robusta beans, which thrive in the country’s tropical climate and fertile soils. While robusta is the dominant variety, Uganda also produces high-quality arabica beans in the mountainous regions, such as Mount Elgon and the Rwenzori Mountains. Ugandan coffee is valued for its rich, earthy flavors with hints of chocolate and spice, making it popular in various espresso blends. As one of Uganda’s major exports, coffee plays a crucial role in driving economic growth, with ongoing investments in quality improvement and infrastructure helping the country expand its presence in the global coffee market.

7. Honduras

Honduras was recently declared as the seventh highest coffee producing country in the world. Honduras has remained among the top eight largest coffee producers at least since the crop year 2019. In order for coffee to grow, the environment must meet certain conditions, one of which is high altitude. In Honduras, some regions are over three thousand feet taller than the minimum altitude required for coffee to thrive. This gives Honduras an advantage over many other coffee producing countries, which has definitely contributed to the country’s success as a coffee growing nation.