Coffee has been one of the main drivers of the global economy since its expansion in the 16th century. After water, coffee is the most consumed beverage in the world, and after oil, it is the most traded product in the world. Thus, the importance of coffee in the lives of thousands of people is evident.
Apart from being an economic pillar, coffee is an agricultural product that is present in multiple presentations and is part of other products in the market. Caffeine is used in medicines, food, energy drinks and many other items that can be consumed on a daily basis. Below, you will learn about the aspects that make coffee such an important product worldwide.
Coffee as a driving force in the economy
As mentioned above, coffee drives world economies and has been traded on the New York Stock Exchange for several decades. Thousands of families depend on the production and commercialisation of coffee for their survival, as around 25 million people have been involved in the planting the processing of coffee.
Consequently, the importance of coffee is evidenced by the fact that it is one of the largest generators of foreign exchange, especially in developing countries. Although it can be considered a simple product, coffee requires time and effort for its cultivation, transport and commercialisation, thus contributing to the economic livelihood of the people dedicated to these tasks.
Although coffee is in high demand worldwide, it has faced different price crises for political, economic and environmental reasons. Despite these changes in value, coffee will continue to be a product whose supply continues to increase. The demand for it allows the coffee business to be stable over the years, as apart from the agricultural sector, the pharmaceutical and food sectors need this raw material.
Most coffee is produced in tropical countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam or Ethiopia. These developing countries benefit from the importance of coffee in their domestic economies and improve the image of these regions in the world. Millions of tons of coffee are harvested and exported every year for the enjoyment of millions of people, thus fostering an international market that, with ups and downs, continues to thrive.
Benefits of coffee for society
Although caffeine is an alkaloid and many people consider coffee to be a harmful substance, the truth is that when consumed in moderation, it offers many health benefits. Among the most prominent are brain stimulation and intellectual performance, as well as offering a unique and distinctive taste to the palates of those who consume it.
European countries are the biggest consumers of coffee, as they do not have the environmental and climatic conditions to cultivate it in their territories. The different varieties of coffee are increasingly valued and marketed around the world, generating a chain of consumption that allows all those involved in the chain to benefit from the coffee trade.
On the other hand, science and technology allow coffee to be produced in a more environmentally friendly way, reducing the environmental impact of coffee cultivation. Environmental labels and regulations are increasingly being promoted to ensure that coffee is consumed in an environmentally responsible manner.
Likewise, throughout history, a culture of coffee tasting has developed. There are several competitions and platforms in which experts are dedicated to qualifying and distinguishing the features of the different varieties of coffee. This has allowed coffee shops to become points of consumption and meeting points to share and enjoy a cup of coffee.
Coffee is part of the daily culture of many countries. Millions of people wake up and consume a cup of coffee to give energy to their daily routine. Many millions more consume it in different ways to refresh themselves or to share moments with family and friends. In this way, coffee has become part of people’s daily lives.
As you can see, there are many aspects that demonstrate the importance of coffee worldwide. Its flavour, its wide exportation capacity and the culture generated around its consumption are just some of the characteristics that put coffee at the top of the most consumed products worldwide.