Over the past almost 20 years, Moldova has increased imports of coffee beans by more than 23 times - to $14.1 million in 2023 and will soon exceed the world average consumption of 140 cups of coffee per year per adult - IDIS Viitorul.
Such data was presented by Veaceslav Ionita, an expert on economic policy at the Institute of Development and Social Initiatives. He recalled that Moldova does not produce coffee, but imports it, and if before 2005 coffee beans worth up to $600 thousand were imported into our country, then by 2010 the import of coffee beans reached $1.7 million in monetary terms, by 2020 - $8.7 million. “In 2023, coffee beans worth about $14.1 million were imported to Moldova, and in 2024, the expected import of coffee beans will be about $15.8 million,” wrote Veaceslav Ionita. He noted that the National Bureau of Statistics provides data on total imports of coffee (instant and beans), tea and spices. Thus, in total, imports of coffee (instant and grain), tea and spices in 2005 amounted to $4.1 million, in 2010 - $9.6 million, in 2020 - $18.6 million. Until 2020 the most imported items were instant coffee, tea and spices. Imports of coffee beans exceeded imports of instant coffee, tea and spices in 2021 alone. Currently, imports of coffee beans dominate. In 2023, total imports of coffee (instant and beans), tea and spices are estimated at approximately 23 million, with imports of coffee beans at $14 million, and imports of instant coffee, tea and spices at $9 million. The economist claims that in 1995, the average adult in Moldova drank 3 cups of coffee annually, made from ground beans. In 2000, due to the crisis, total coffee bean consumption dropped to 1.4 cups per year per adult. In 2005, this figure increased to 8.8, in 2010 - to 15, in 2015 - to 35, in 2020 - to 90, in 2023 - to 134, and in 2024 it is expected consumption is approximately 153 cups per year per average adult. “Since 2020, there has been a sharp increase in coffee bean consumption. 2024 should be declared the year of coffee in Moldova. The average coffee consumption in the world is 140 cups of coffee per adult per year. In 2024, we will exceed the global average consumption. European average consumption, which is 2-3 times higher, is still several years away. By the time we join the European Union, our coffee consumption will be comparable to consumption in EU countries,” the economist noted. According to him, a new phenomenon is observed in Moldova, namely the import of coffee from unroasted beans, after the coffee bean roasting industry began to develop. If in 1995 only 600 kg of unroasted grains were imported, then in 2023 - 70 tons. The beans are roasted here in about 4 existing roasting plants and then sold under different Moldovan brands here in Moldova, and even eventually go for export. At the same time, there is a company in Moldova that has a franchise abroad – a business model that is for sale. “So far, the import of unroasted coffee beans is small. Until then, we buy coffee already prepared by others. But I think that we have every chance to develop this industry in our country,” said the economic analyst. The expert claims that in 2023, Moldovans spent about 1.5 billion lei on coffee, and the government collected almost 300 million lei in taxes. Herewith, the world's largest consumer of coffee is the Netherlands: per capita it produces 8.3 kg of coffee per year. This is followed by: Finland - 7.8 kg of coffee per year per capita; Sweden - 7.6 kg; Norway – 6.6 kg; Canada – 5.5 kg; Lebanon – 5.3 kg; Germany – 5.2 kg; Brazil – 5.1 kg; Qatar – 5 kg; Switzerland – 4.8 kg; Italy – 4.7 kg; Estonia – 4.3 kg; Portugal – 4 kg, USA – 3.5 kg; France – 3.4 kg of coffee per capita annually. On average, the world consumes 1.3 kg of coffee per capita per year. In Moldova, annual per capita coffee consumption was 0.49 kg in 2020, and 0.75 kg in 2023. “2.2 billion cups of coffee are consumed per day. In 2000, out of a million cups of coffee drunk per day, three were consumed by residents of Moldova. In 2005, 23 cups of coffee were consumed by residents of Moldova; in 2010 – 32; in 2015 – 63; in 2020, 129. In 2024, the figure is estimated to be 180 cups. Over 24 years, our share in world coffee consumption has increased 60 times,” concluded Veaceslav Ionita. // 05.01.2024 — InfoMarket
