UN proclaims 1 October as International Coffee Day

• Global coffee industry produces over $ 200 b in annual revenue

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO) recently welcomed the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) proclaiming 1 October as International Coffee Day.

The resolution recognises the “cultural, social, and historical significance of coffee, from its origins to its significant role in the development of contemporary societies, in which it has become not only an important agricultural commodity and source of livelihood for communities, but also a symbol of social interaction, cultural expression and everyday tradition across generations.”

The resolution also highlights the contribution of coffee production and processing to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): the fight against hunger (SDG 2), the reduction of extreme poverty (SDG 1), the empowerment of women (SDG 5), and the promotion of decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).

“Coffee is more than a beverage, it is a globally traded commodity – from beans to the coffee service – that sustains the livelihoods of millions of farming households, and connects rural communities to markets across the world,” said FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu. “Recognising the value of the coffee sector will raise awareness about its socio-economic importance and strengthen its contribution to eradicating poverty. We look forward to celebrating the Day and its values.”

The resolution was submitted to the UNGA for consideration following its adoption by the FAO Conference during its 44th session in 2025.

Under the UN resolution, the FAO is invited to facilitate the observance of International Coffee Day in collaboration with relevant organisations, in particular the International Coffee Organisation.

Coffee is among the most widely consumed beverages in the world, with global per capita consumption growing by 1.2% per year over the past decade. The sector supports the livelihoods of around 25 million farmers and generates employment throughout the coffee value chain. Overall, the global coffee industry produces more than $ 200 billion in annual revenue.

Coffee also remains one of the world’s most traded commodities. In 2024, global production surpassed 11 million tons, with approximately 8 million tons of coffee beans traded internationally. That year, the value of global coffee production was estimated at nearly $ 25 billion, while world trade in coffee beans reached about $ 34 billion.

For many low-income countries, coffee exports constitute a crucial source of foreign exchange. In 2024, coffee accounted for 27.9% of total merchandise exports in Ethiopia, 20.1% in Uganda and 19.5% in Burundi. In both Ethiopia and Uganda, coffee export revenues exceeded the food import bills, while in Burundi they represented nearly 20% of the country’s food import bill.

In 2024, Brazil and Viet Nam were the leading coffee exporters, while the European Union and the United States of America were the largest importers.

With the establishment of International Coffee Day, the FAO stands ready to work with Members and partners to ensure that the Day becomes a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and action across the entire coffee value chain. By shining a light on the challenges and opportunities facing millions of producers worldwide, the observance aims to strengthen global commitment to an efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable coffee sector that contributes meaningfully to food security and rural development.