Hey coffeenomies! Do you know where the coffee you sip every day comes from? You may know some of the coffee producers. But the others will surprise you. Right now, there are about 75 top coffee producing countries. Want to know all about them? We have a detailed overview right here, just for you!
Top Coffee Producing Countries
After crude oil, our beloved beverage coffee is the second most exported raw material today. Growing the most popular beans requires a suitable climate and condition.
Unfortunately, a freezing atmosphere is coffee’s archenemy, so most production occurs in a tropical environment, such as South America and Africa. As a result, most of the highest coffee producing countries are from those continents.
Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, and Indonesia produce the most amounts of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. Now, sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. At the same time, we take you on a coffee-world tour, after you read through our detailed list of top 12 coffee producing countries, with a few bonus entries afterward.
| Country | Production(Metric tons) |
| Brazil | 2680515 |
| Vietnam | 1542398 |
| Colombia | 754376 |
| Indonesia | 668677 |
| Honduras | 475042 |
| Ethiopia | 471247 |
| Peru | 346466 |
| India | 312000 |
| Guatemala | 245441 |
| Uganda | 209325 |
| Mexico | 153794 |
| Nicaragua | 128111 |
1. Brazil
Brazil has been the top among all the coffee producing countries for more than 150 years. No doubt, it will retain its top position for another 100 years.
Brazil had 2,680,515 metric tons or 5,714,381,000 pounds of coffee in 2022. Brazil makes up 35% of the world’s coffee production, of which 70% consists of arabica.
Brazil also holds the crown for the highest coffee producing country in South America.
Brazilian Coffee Flavor Profile
Coffee from Brazil is known for its low acidity and sweet taste. Most Brazilian coffee is used for ground coffee, instant coffee, and cheap blends.
However, there is high-quality Brazilian coffee too. Brazilian Arabica coffee comes with flavors of chocolate, nuts, cocoa, and spices. It harmonizes well with milk and also with a classic espresso.
Coffee Producing Regions in Brazil
There are around 300,000 coffee plantations in Brazil. The coffee plants cover more than 27,000 km2 area in seven different states. The states include Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo, Espiritu Santo, Bahia, Paranà , Rondônia, and Rio de Janeiro. However, 50% of the Brazilian coffee grows in Minas Gerais. Most of the robusta comes from Espiritu Santo and Rondônia, whereas Arabica grows in Bahia.
2. Vietnam
As a coffee lover, you must’ve tried the Vietnamese signature coffee. Its popularity is growing for the rich flavor mixed with sweetened condensed milk.
In 1975, it started with producing only 6000 tons of coffee. Now in 2022, they expanded the production to 1,542,398 metric tons or 3,637,627,000 pounds, making them the world’s second-largest coffee producer.
Vietnamese Coffee Flavor Profile
Vietnam entered the international market with its low-priced robusta coffee. It’s rich in caffeine and has a bitter taste. 96 % of the Vietnamese coffee is robusta. This accounts for 40 % of the global robusta coffee beans production.
Coffee Producing Regions in Vietnam
Coffee is cultivated in every part of the country. That includes north Vietnam, South Vietnam, and central highlands. North Vietnam primarily produces arabica coffee, while robusta is grown in the south.
3. Colombia
Colombia ranks third among the largest coffee producing countries worldwide. However, it used to be the second major contributor to the coffee trade in the entire South America.
The atmosphere became less favorable for cultivating coffee due to the drastic climate change. The temperature in Colombia increases day by day. Yet, it produced 754,376 Metric tons or 1,785,744,000 pounds of coffee this year.
Colombian Coffee Flavor Profile
Colombian coffee gained global popularity because of its mild and well-balanced taste. However, the standard flavors have changed a lot since climate change.
Colombia’s primary production of coffee cherries focuses on Arabica. Colombia ranks second in global Arabica production. These coffees are large and have a wonderful aftertaste.
Coffee Producing Regions in Colombia
In Colombia, you can find some high-quality coffee beans. Depending on the zone of production, the flavors vary. The majority of the country’s best beans grow in the mountains around the capital Bogotá.
The height makes the beans acidic. The soil is fertile, and the humidity is high, which is vital for coffee cultivation.
4. Indonesia
This year, Indonesia produced 668,677 Metric tons of coffee, accounting for 6% of global coffee production. Indonesia is the first Asian country to have large coffee output to serve the global demand. Although both varieties of coffee are available here, robusta coffee is predominant.
Indonesian Coffee Flavor Profile
Indonesian coffee is famous in the coffee industry. All coffee drinkers love their Kopi Luwak and Java Coffee. Kopi Luwak adopts its unique flavor from its enjoyable process of harvesting. The source of this coffee is the feces of Asian palm civets.
Java coffee is a full-bodied coffee with moderate acidity. Java coffee used to be a term for the coffee grown on the island of Java.
However, today the borders have been blurred, and the time is now used for all coffee produced in Indonesia.
Coffee Producing Regions in Indonesia
Coffee trees are harvested all over the islands of Indonesia. That includes Java, Bali, Papua, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Flores, and Sumbawa. You can easily differentiate the tastes of coffees produced in each of these regions.
Javan coffee has a good body, Sumantran leaves an earthy flavor, whereas coffee from Bali tastes sweet.
5. Honduras
Most consumers might not be familiar with Honduran coffee. As they mostly complement a coffee blend. Yet, Honduran coffee cultivation is an excellent support to the country’s economy.
Honduras is one of the leading arabica bean exporters, with around 475,042 metric tons of coffee each year.
Honduran Coffee Flavor Profile
Honduran coffee quality is improving. It has a beautiful aroma and notes of nuts with well-balanced acidity.
The coffee body is medium round. As a result, Honduran coffee matures slowly, captures more minerals and nutrients, and gives a robust flavor.
Coffee Producing Regions in Honduras
Coffees from Copan, Agata, and Montecillos have the most distinct flavors. Montecillo’s coffee tastes sweet, Agalta is fruity, and Copan smells chocolaty caramel.
Apart from this, Comayagua, El ParaÃso, and Opalaca also produce flavorful coffees in Honduras.
Having fun Nomies? Check out our piece on what plant coffee comes from.
6. Ethiopia
In the sixth position, we have Ethiopia, with a coffee crop output of 471,247 metric tons. Ethiopia is known as the birthplace of coffee.
It still produces coffee to a large extent and exports it. Arabica beans are predominant in Ethiopian coffee production. Ethiopia is the best among all coffee producing countries in Africa.
Ethiopian Coffee Flavor Profile
Every coffee shop menu around the globe must have Ethiopian coffee beans. It has a medium body with nice acidity and is one of the finest coffees available.
No modern tools are used in their production of coffee. As a result, it makes the coffee taste very rich.
Coffee Producing Regions in Ethiopia
Harrar, Gimbi, Jima, Limu, Yirgacheffe, and Sidama are the top coffee-producing regions of Ethiopia. Coffees produced in each of these regions are varieties of arabica variants.
7. Peru
A dedicated coffee connoisseur can never leave out Peruvian coffee. Peru is rapidly climbing up the rank by producing 346,466 Metric tons. Standard quality of arabica production is their primary concern.
Peruvian Coffee Flavor Profile
You’ll be amazed to know that Peruvian coffee has peak levels of everything you desire. With a medium body and mild acidity, the coffee is aromatic and flavorful with nuts, chocolates, and citrus notes.
Coffee Producing Regions in Peru
Coffee from Peru grows on experienced hands. About 223,000 Peruvian families are employed in coffee production today. 50 % of the total coffee grows throughout the Cajamarca region. Junin, Cusco, and San Martin are other notable coffee-growing regions.
8. India
You may be familiar with Indian tea cultivation. But did you know they are also in the top 10 in coffee production? By producing about 312,000 Metric tons of coffee per year, India serves 3% of the global coffee demand.
Indian Coffee Flavor Profile
Coffee connoisseurs characterize Indian coffee by its sound body and mild acidity and aftertaste. In addition, it has notes of spices. India also started Kopi Luwak coffee production on a small scale.
Their primary product is robusta coffee, accounting for 70% of the total crops. The remaining 30% makes up Arabic beans.
Coffee Producing Regions in India
Most coffees in India are produced in Malabar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Coffee is also grown in the west and north part of India, including Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Assam, Manjarabad, and many more.
9. Guatemala
Guatemala is a small country, but they grow world-class coffee! Thanks to the different climates, volcanic soil, and highlands, they give you varieties of coffee. Guatemala produces 245,441 Metric tons of coffee. This amount of production provides 2.5% of the total global output.
Guatemalan Coffee Flavor Profile
Guatemalan coffee is considered one of the most fragrant and aromatic coffees in the world. With its full body, chocolaty taste, and caramel sweetness, Guatemalan coffee is a gem!
Due to the climate, coffees from the different regions taste differently. Yet, the taste ranges from light, sweet, and fruit-like to heavier, fuller, and chocolaty.
Coffee Producing Regions in Guatemala
Having eight different coffee-growing regions and many other taste profiles, Guatemala is an interesting country. Most are grown in the shade of the highland jungles.
Acatenango, Cobán, Antigua, Nuevo Oriente, San Marcos, Atitlán, Huehuetenango, and Fraijanes are notable coffee-growing regions in Guatemala.
10. Uganda
Ugandan coffee was unheard of for a long time. Today it has made its way to the top 10th position, producing 209,325 metric tons. Coffee trees in Uganda are full of the finest robusta genetics.
Naturally grown wild robusta is the rarest thing on earth. Yet, you can find them in the Ugandan rain forests. They also cultivate arabica, accounting for 20% of the total Ugandan coffee production.
Ugandan Coffee Flavor Profile
In terms of taste, Ugandan coffee ranked third after Ethiopia and Kenya. It is light-bodied and woodsy aromatic. The coffee is famous for its winey acidity with flavors of fruits and oranges.
Coffee Producing Regions in Uganda
Arabicas grow well in the western regions like West Nile and on Mountaintops like Mount Elgon and Rwenzori. However, in the central lowlands, robusta beans are the most prominent.
11. Mexico
Next, we have Mexico. Mexican coffee production is often overlooked, which makes up 2 % of global coffee output. It produced 153,794 metric tons of coffee this year.
Mexican Coffee Flavor Profile
Mexican coffee has a light body, mild flavor, and vanilla, jasmine, and lemongrass notes. The primary production of Mexico is Arabica, with a bit of robusta. Some of the Mexican coffees leave a juicy, sweet, and sour aftertaste.
Coffee Producing Regions in Mexico
Major coffee-producing regions in Mexico are Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Veracruz. Despite Veracruz being the most technologically advanced, Chiapas produces 40% of the total coffee.
12. Nicaragua
Coffee is Nicaragua’s most significant export commodity. Growing 128,111 Metric tons of coffee, Nicaragua provides for 1.3% of the global output. The country mainly produces coffee of the washed arabica type.
That grows in fertile and volcanic soil. However, Nicaragua also cultivates a special kind of bean, called the Elephant bean. These are named so for being the biggest coffee bean on the planet.
Nicaraguan Coffee Flavor Profile
You can perceive Nicaraguan coffee by mild acidity, medium body, and a pleasant aftertaste. Its complex flavor, well-balanced taste, and quality make it highly competitive in the coffee world.
You may discover notes of vanilla, nuts, and chocolaty aroma. Sometimes it gives a floral sensation or flavors of papaya and apricot.
Coffee Producing Regions in Nicaragua
Nicaragua has large numbers of coffee farms that produce a variety of coffee beans. Some of the coffee-growing regions in Nicaragua are Jinotega, Matagalpa, and Segovia. Though there are multiple cultivars, only a handful of them produce the best quality.
These 12 countries are the most coffee producing ones in 2022. However, note that this “top list” may change in the upcoming years. Ranking in 2022 might even surprise you.
Maybe you’ll see China as one of the top competitors. They have recently started growing coffee beans and may become a world-leading producer soon.
Honorable Mentions
These countries are not on par with the best coffee producing countries. But their steady progress will surely make an impact on the world’s coffee production market by the following year. Our first mention may even move up the coffee producing countries list next year!
China
China is relatively new to coffee production. China is mainly known as a tea-producing country, and its coffee production infrastructure is not yet in place properly.
China currently grows both Arabica and Robusta beans, with 95% of the production being Arabica beans. The Arabica beans are produced in the southern province of Yunan, while the Robusta beans are grown in Fujian province.
Chinese coffee varies when it comes to taste and quality. Chinese coffee is considered inferior compared to many other established coffee brewing nations.
But this situation is soon about to change since organizations like Nestle and Starbucks are taking notice of China’s coffee production potential.
Kenya
Kenya deserves mention on this list. Their production is not as much as the other coffee producing countries mentioned above. But the quality of Kenya’s coffee production has established her among the best coffee producing countries in Africa.
Kenya’s current soil and climate conditions are perfect for producing coffee. When it comes to bean selection, Kenyan beans have become a top priority. Some even go out of their way to say that Kenyan Arabica beans are the finest in the world.
Costa Rica
Coffee production in Costa Rica started as early as the 1700s. Costa Rican authorities realized the potential of their soil for coffee production, and it has been the primary income source for the nation ever since. The coffee production of Costa Rica hit its peak in the 1920s.
Had fun reading? You’ll love to read our piece on what is coffee bean belt.
To Wrap It All Up
So, now you know about different countries and their coffee-producing ways. Have you enjoyed the journey of coffee from a cultivar to your cup? If you have, now enjoy another fa-brew-lous cup of coffee. Perhaps it’s not from any of the countries we mentioned. If not, where does your favorite coffee come from?
FAQs
Currently, Brazil holds the record for the world’s most coffee-producing country.
At the top position, we have Brazil. From 2nd to 5th place there are Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, and Honduras.
Ethiopia is noted as the birthplace of coffee in history.
Coffee from Guatemala is one of the most fragrant and aromatic coffees in the world.
The largest coffee producer country is Brazil.
Kopi Luwak is the most expensive coffee in the world, produced in Indonesia.
In Brazil, covering over 27,000 km2 area in 7 different states.
Brazil produces one third of the entire world’s coffee.
Colombia produces the best quality coffee in the world.
Most of the coffee beans is grown in Brazil
Jamaica makes the world’s best coffee. Mainly for their Blue Mountain Ground Coffee.
