Coffee: The U.S. (and Big Power) Connection
Coffee consumption in the world’s two most populous countries – China and India – is also increasing steadily.
September 29, 2015
1. In the aggregate, the United States is the world’s top consumer of coffee.
2. In 2014, the country downed 23.8 million 60-kg bags of java, almost all of which was imported.
3. After the United States, Germany, Japan and Italy are the next largest importers of coffee.
4. U.S. coffee drinkers consumed 4.5 kilograms (9.9 lbs.) of coffee per person in 2014.
5. On a per person basis, the U.S. thus has the 23rd-highest consumption level globally among the countries for which the London-based International Coffee Organization has data.
6. Just a decade ago, in 2005, U.S. coffee consumption was just 2.5 kilograms (5.5 lbs.) per person.
7. The spread of Starbucks and other coffeehouse chains across the U.S. has fueled this rise in per capita consumption there.
8. Coffee consumption in the world’s two most populous countries – China and India – is also increasing steadily.
9. However, tea is still eight times more popular than coffee in India — and three times more popular than coffee in China.