Coffee is one of the world's most consumed beverages, but also one of the agricultural products with the largest and most complex supply chain. The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution formally recognizing the occasion, which has been celebrated for years internationally in the coffee sector. The day has existed since 2015, when it was launched by the International Coffee Organization during Expo Milan to unite the various celebrations dedicated to coffee around the world on a single date. With the new act approved in New York, the UN now recognizes its cultural, social, and economic value, highlighting the role of one of the most popular beverages globally and of an agricultural supply chain that involves millions of people.
The Economic Value of a Cup
Behind a simple cup lies a vast supply chain. According to data from the FAO, the global coffee industry generates over $200 billion annually and represents one of the most important agricultural commodities internationally. Coffee cultivation is concentrated primarily in the so-called "coffee belt," the tropical belt encompassing countries such as Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, and Ethiopia. Here, coffee is not just an agricultural product: it is often the main source of income for local communities.
According to FAO data, approximately 25 million farmers worldwide depend directly on coffee cultivation, while millions of others work in the subsequent stages of the supply chain: processing, roasting, marketing, and distribution.
The UN resolution also emphasizes the cultural dimension of coffee, which is not just a raw material, but an element that has accompanied the social history of many countries. This global diffusion is also reflected in consumption: over the last ten years, global per capita consumption has grown by an average of 1.2% per year, a sign of stable and continuously expanding demand.
With this new international day, the goal is also to shine a spotlight on the sustainability of the supply chain, the work of farmers, and the economic and cultural value of one of the most global products on the table. Because behind every cup of coffee lies more than just a recognizable aroma: there's an agricultural, commercial, and gastronomic story that spans continents.
What is Happening to The Coffee Market?
In recent years, the coffee market has been experiencing severe price pressure. In 2024 and 2025, international prices recorded significant increases, in some cases reaching the highest levels in decades, especially for certain varieties such as Arabica. Among the main causes are extreme weather events in producing countries, particularly Brazil and Vietnam, which have reduced harvests and made future production more uncertain.
Other structural factors also have an impact: rising transportation and energy costs, growing global demand, and labor shortages in agricultural areas. According to analyses by the FAO and the International Coffee Organization, these dynamics are contributing to a more volatile coffee market, with repercussions along the entire supply chain, from production to the final price of a cup.
For consumers, the impact is already visible: in recent months, the cost of green and roasted coffee has increased in many markets, and several roasters have reported inevitable price increases. This trend could continue in the coming years if climatic and production conditions in the main growing countries remain unstable.
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