The Top 25 coffee-producing countries in the world (2022)
The coffee we buy in stores for our daily consumption needs to be harvested and produced to be sold. It comes from somewhere. What are the top coffee-producing countries out there?
Some countries are giants, which means that they’re a threat to small coffee growers who can barely survive.
Coffee is an organic product and is susceptible to diseases and changing weather conditions.
Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world (after oil). We provide you with a list of the top 25 coffee-producing countries, with area harvested (hectare/ha) and production (in tons).
Data is from the year 2020 and collected from Fao, statistics were collected and provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
When we talk about producing coffee we mean of course arabica and robusta coffee beans.
The production of coffee in the world
On Golden Sin, we’ve already talked about the relation between height, elevation, and quality of coffee.
Not every country is provided with the same “gifts” from mother earth.
There are about 60 types of coffee plants. These plants are spread among different countries, the so-called Coffee Belt.
The Coffee Belt is located between the tropics of cancer and Capricorn and is thus located around the equator mostly.
We provide also the amount of area that’s been harvested by that country. You’ll see clearly that there can be great differences between them.
25 Top Coffee-Producing Countries 2022
This list is sorted by toffee production by country (in tonnes, tons, or 1,000 kg). This list doesn’t give you an indication of quality, harvested areas, and so on, and is solely measured by production rate.
We will provide you with specific information about that country and a link to more specific detailed posts about coffee from that country on our blog.
Please note, as mentioned before, are in metric tons and collected by Fao. These ratios can differ because of different factors: type of bean produced (Robusta or Arabica), investments from the government, high areas, and so on.
Table of the 25 top coffee-producing countries (sorted by production output):
| Country | Production (#tons) | Area harvested (#hectares) | Yield (#tons/ha) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Brazil | 3,700,231 | 1,898,239 | 1.95 |
| 2. Vietnam | 1,763,476 | 637,563 | 2.77 |
| 3. Colombia | 833,400 | 844,744 | 0.99 |
| 4. Indonesia | 773,409 | 1,264,331 | 0.61 |
| 5. Ethiopia | 584,790 | 856,592 | 0.68 |
| 6. Peru | 376,725 | 402,219 | 0.94 |
| 7. Honduras | 364,552 | 320,962 | 1.14 |
| 8. India | 298,000 | 459,730 | 0.65 |
| 9. Uganda | 290,668 | 536,372 | 0.54 |
| 10. Guatemala | 225,000 | 364,290 | 0.62 |
| 11. Lao | 185,721 | 88,368 | 2.10 |
| 12. Mexico | 175,555 | 636,004 | 0.28 |
| 13. Nicaragua | 158,759 | 149,418 | 1.06 |
| 14. China | 114,000 | 36,095 | 3.16 |
| 15. Costa Rica | 76,008 | 63,587 | 1.20 |
| 16. Tanzania | 60,651 | 199,976 | 0.30 |
| 17. Phillippines | 60,641 | 113,265 | 0.54 |
| 18. Ivory Coast | 59,412 | 756,447 | 0.08 |
| 19. Venezuela | 57,100 | 162,807 | 0.35 |
| 20. Madagascar | 42,220 | 75,411 | 0.56 |
| 21. Papua New Guinea | 40,980 | 38,590 | 1.06 |
| 22. Guinea | 38,572 | 92.449 | 0.42 |
| 23. Kenya | 36,900 | 119,700 | 0.31 |
| 24. Cameroon | 36,207 | 116,564 | 0.31 |
| 25. El Salvador | 36,000 | 141,626 | 0.25 |
Infographic:
1. Brazil
Produced coffee: 3.700.231 tons (34.62% of total)
Harvested area: 1.898.239 ha (17.19% of total)
# tons/ha: 1.95
Leading among the top coffee-producing countries is Brazil. This country is good for about 35% of the total coffee production in the world. About 70% of the production is Arabica beans, the other 30% are Robusta beans.
About 1,9 million hectares are harvested and thus used for coffee production.
This means for every hectare, they produce 1.95 tons of coffee, which is very efficient.
Brazilan and coffee, they’re a great match.
Coffee is very important for the Brazilian economy as it covers about 3% of the export revenues.
Brazil is the largest producer of Arabica beans in the world.
There are a lot of regions in Brazil that grow coffee:
- Minas Gerais
- Bahia
- Rondônia
- Espirito Santo
- Sao Paulo
- …
Rondônia specializes in Robusta beans and is located in the south, close to the border with Bolivia…
Please read our page for more information about Brazilian coffee.
2. Vietnam
Produced coffee: 1.763.476 tons (16.50 % of total)
Harvested area: 637.563 ha (5.77 % of total)
# tons/ha: 2.77
Number 2 on our list is Vietnam. They also produce more than 1 million tons of coffee.
Vietnam is located in Asia and is known for its Robusta coffee. They’re good for about about 17% of global coffee production.
More than 90% of the total production is Robusta, the remaining % Arabica. The Arabica beans are grown in the northern regions, and Robusta in the southern regions.
Their beans are thus mostly suited for blends or instant coffees.
The Arabica beans production comes from the time that the country was occupied by France in the 19th century. They’ve grown Arabica beans on the plantations owned by the French.
Most of the coffee production is located in Central Highland and South Vietnam.
Vietnam is the largest producer of Robusta coffee beans in the world. They get a large output per hectare harvested: 2.77 tons/ha.
3. Colombia
Produced coffee: 833.400 tons (7.80% of total)
Harvested area: 844.74 ha (7.65% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.99
Number 3 on our list is Colombia, under the million but still responsible for a large percentage of global coffee production (7.24%).
You won’t find Robusta beans here as production consists of Arabica beans only. They come second to Brazil when it comes to Arabica production.
Colombia is one of the countries that grow coffee for more than 2 centuries and has a lot of experience.
They get a yield of 0.99 tons per ha.
Most of the coffee is produced in the western region of the country.
4. Indonesia
Produced coffee: 773.409 tons (7.24% of total)
Harvested area: 1.264.331 ha (11.45% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.61
Also located in Asia like Vietnam. They’re good for about 7.80% of world production. It’s one of the first countries outside of Africa that produced Arabica coffee, around the 17th century.
The yield is not so high as their colleagues from Vietnam: 0.61 tons per ha produced.
The country produces Arabica and Robusta but like Vietnam, more than 90% consists of Robusta beans.
This wasn’t always like this in history as in the 19th century, coffee rust (a disease), destroyed the arabica coffee plants. They were replaced by the more resistant Robusta coffee.
People might know the famous Kopi Luwak coffee, produced in Indonesia, better than the fact that the country is a major coffee producer. Kopi Luwak is processed in a very unique way: coffee cherries are eaten by palm civets, and ‘poopout’ the coffee beans in the fruit that’s harvested. This unique method makes it one of the most expensive coffees out there.
5. Ethiopia
Produced coffee: 584.790 tons (5.47% of total)
Harvested area: 856.592 ha (7.76% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.68
Ethiopia is the first African country in this top coffee-producing countries list and is good for about 5.47% of global coffee production.
This country is said to be the origin of the Arabica coffee bean. This means that they’ve got a lot of experience when comes to producing coffee, before the rise of coffee production in South America and Asia.
Ethiopian coffee is known for its high quality and they exclusively grow Arabica beans.
The yield is not very high: 0.68 tons per hectare.
6. Peru
Produced coffee: 376.725 tons (3.52% of total)
Harvested area: 402.219 ha (3.64% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.94
Peru is perhaps a South American country that doesn’t get as much attention as Brazil and Colombia but is surely worth mentioning.
Peruvian coffee is on the rise and surely deserves your attention.
Peruvian coffee production is good for about 3.52% of world production and yields about 0.94 tons per hectare, which is not bad.
Coffee goes way back in Peru to the period of the 18th century. They have cooperatives like Centrocafe. More than 90% of the coffee that goes via Centrocafe is organic coffee. All their coffees are 100% Fair Trade.
Coffee rust is a disease that can destroy your crops, which happened in Peru in 2014 when half of the coffee plantations in Peru were affected by rust. Coffee production and export are vital to the Peruvian economy.
This can be somewhat seen through the yield of the production: 0.94 tons per hectare, which is decent. We think this ratio will rise in the future for Peru.
Peruvian coffee is known for its high quality and more earthy flavor tones (nuts, chocolate).
7. Honduras
Produced coffee: 364.552 tons (3.41% of total)
Harvested area: 320.962 ha (2.91% of total)
# tons/ha: 1.14
Honduras is located in Central America and is good for about 3.41% of global coffee production.
Honduras produces only Arabica beans, mostly in the western part of the country, close to El Salvador.
8. India
Produced coffee: 298.000 tons (2.79% of total)
Harvested area: 459.730 ha (4.16% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.65
India is a very large country and number 8 on our list with a share of 2.79% coffee production. The yield per ha is on the lower end: about 0.65. There’s room for growth, that’s for sure.
Coffee in India is grown in shade. They both grow Arabica and Robusta. Most of the coffee is grown in the South Indian states. There 3 major states: Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. These states produce more than 95% of the coffee with Karnataka the biggest: 71% (Kerala: 21% and Tamil Nadu: 5%). These states are also considered the traditional region.
Find out more on our page about Indian coffee.
9. Uganda
Produced coffee: 290.668 tons (2.72 % of total)
Harvested area: 536.372 ha (4.86 % of total)
# tons/ha: 0.54
Uganda is another African country on our list and is good for 2.72% of global coffee production. The yield per ha is about 0.54 tons, also at the lower end compared to other countries.
Most of the coffee grown in Uganda is Robusta: about 80%. The remaining 20% are Arabica beans.
Uganda has about 5 big growing regions, located in the north, west, east en central parts of the country. Most the Arabica beans are grown in the western regions (higher elevation).
Find out more on our page about Ugandan coffee.
10. Guatemala
Produced coffee: 225.000 tons (2.11% of total)
Harvested area: 364.290 ha (3.30% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.62
Another Central American country taking the 10th spot on our top coffee-producing countries list. Despite the country isn’t as big as others on our list, it produces about 2.11% of the global coffee. The yield is 0.62, which can be improved.
Guatemala is known for its high regions and Arabica coffee. The height of more than 5,000 feet is decisive for its robust flavor.
They’re also known for their more earthy flavor like chocolate and nuts and have a bright taste.
Famous growing regions are Atitlan and Antigua, located in the central highlands.
Click here for more information about Guatemala coffee.
11. Lao
Produced coffee: 185.721 tons (1.74% of total)
Harvested area: 88.368 ha (0.80% of total)
# tons/ha: 2.10
Lao is a small country located in South-East Asia and shares borders with Vietnam (West) and Cambodia (North). It produces 1.74% of the global coffee, which is pretty good taking into account the size of the country. The yield per hectare is high: 2.10 tons per hectare.
Lao was occupied by the French around the 20th century (the 1900s).
Lao only produces multiple beans: Arabica, Robusta, and also Liberica. and they’ve grown in the growing regions of the mountains in the north and the Bolaven Plateau in the south. The southern region is known for its fertile volcanic soil and higher altitude.
Look here for more information about Laos coffee.
12. Mexico
Produced coffee: 175.555 tons (1.64 % of total)
Harvested area: 636.004 ha (5.76 % of total)
# tons/ha: 0.28
On number 12 we have Mexico. The Mexicans produce 1.64% of the world’s coffee. The yield per hectare is one of the lowest on our list: 0.28 tons/ha.
Mexico produces mostly Arabica beans, but there’s also a small amount of Robusta beans (up to 5%). The beans are grown in the shade.
The main coffee-growing regions are located in the southern and southeastern parts of the country. The 3 biggest coffee regions are:
Chiapas, in the southwest of Mexico, is close to Guatemala. Coffee from this region is known for its chocolatey and nutty taste.
Veracruz is located close to the Gulf of Mexico. Coffee from Veracruz is known for its acidity and an aftertaste that can be sweet and sour. You can taste notes of red fruits, blueberries, and so on, with light floral and fruity notes.
Oaxaca, between Chiapas and Veracruz and the Pacific Ocean. The coffee has a medium to high acidity, with floral and herbal flavors, you’ll taste notes of yellow fruits and it can be sweet.
Look here for more information about Mexican coffee.
13. Nicaragua
Produced coffee: 158.759 tons (1.49 % of total)
Harvested area: 149.418 ha (1.35 % of total)
# tons/ha: 1.06
Nicaragua is the second smallest country in Central America, and it’s located between Honduras (north) and Costa Rica (south).
It produces 1.49% of the global coffee- even though the yield per hectare is good with 1.06 tons/ha.
Just like most Central American countries, Nicaragua produces Arabica beans that are grown in the mountains. The main coffee regions are Jinotega and Matagalpa, located in the northern part of Nicaragua.
The coffee has a medium body with a chocolatey taste and some sweetness. You can also taste notes of nuts.
14. China
Produced coffee: 114.000 tons (1.07% of total)
Harvested area: 36.095 ha (0.33% of total)
# tons/ha: 3.16
On number 14 we have China. The yield here is high: 3.16 tons/ha.
It produces 1.07% of the world’s coffee, which might not seem like much, but it’s a lot considering the population of China (1.4 billion people).
The country is located in East Asia and shares borders with 14 countries: Mongolia (north), Russia (northeast), North Korea (east), Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan (west).
China produces multiple coffee beans: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. The beans are grown in the Yunnan province, in southwest China.
The coffee has a medium to whole body with chocolate and floral flavors. You might also taste some sweetness and acidity.
15. Costa Rica
Produced coffee: 76.008 tons (0.71% of total)
Harvested area: 63.587 ha (0.58% of total)
# tons/ha: 1.20
Costa Rica is located in Central America, and it shares borders with Nicaragua (north) and Panama (south). It ranks number 15 on our list of top coffee-producing countries.
It produces 0.71% of the world’s coffee on 63.587 hectares. The yield per hectare is good: 1.20 tons/ha.
Costa Rica mainly produces Arabica beans that are grown in the mountains. The main coffee regions are Tarrazu, Tres Rios, Alajuela, and Heredia.
The coffee has a medium body with chocolate and nutty flavors. You might also taste some sweetness and acidity.
16. Tanzania
Produced coffee: 60.651 tons (0.57% of total)
Harvested area: 199.976 ha (1.81% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.30
Tanzania is located in East Africa and it shares borders with 8 countries: Uganda (north), Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique (south), and the Indian Ocean (east).
It produces 0.57% of the world’s coffee on 199.976 hectares. The yield per hectare is not that great: 0.30 tons/ha.
Tanzania produces Arabica and Robusta beans. Most of the coffee is grown in the northern and southern Highlands.
The coffee has a full body with chocolate and nutty flavors. You might also taste some sweetness and acidity.
17. the Philippines
Produced coffee: 60.641 tons (0.57% of total)
Harvested area: 113.265 ha (1.03% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.54
The Philippines is an archipelago located in Southeast Asia, and it consists of 7,641 islands. It shares borders with Taiwan (north), Vietnam (west), Palau, Indonesia, and Malaysia (south).
It produces 0.57% of the world’s coffee on 113.265 hectares. The yield per hectare is not that great: 0.54 tons/ha.
The Philippines produces Arabica and Robusta beans. Most of the coffee is grown on the islands of Luzon and Mindanao.
The coffee has a medium to whole body with chocolate and nutty flavors. You might also taste some sweetness and acidity.
18. Ivory Coast
Produced coffee: 59.412 tons (0.56% of total)
Harvested area: 756.447 ha (6.85% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.08
Ivory Coast is located in West Africa and it shares borders with 7 countries: Ghana (west), Burkina Faso (north), Mali (northeast), Guinea (east), Liberia (southeast), and the Atlantic Ocean (south).
It produces 0.56% of the world’s coffee on 756.447 hectares. The yield per hectare is not that great: 0.08 tons/ha.
Ivory Coast produces Arabica and Robusta beans. Most of the coffee is grown in the central and western parts of the country.
The coffee has a medium body with chocolate and nutty flavors. You might also taste some sweetness and acidity.
19. Venezuela
Produced coffee: 57.100 tons (0.53% of total)
Harvested area: 162.807 ha (1.47% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.35
Venezuela is located in South America and it shares borders with Colombia (west), Brazil (south), and Guyana (east).
It produces 0.53% of the world’s coffee on 162.807 hectares. The yield per hectare is not that great: 0.35 tons/ha.
Venezuela produces Arabica beans. Most of the coffee is grown in the northern part of the country.
20. Madagascar
Produced coffee: 42.220 tons (0.40% of total)
Harvested area: 75.411 ha (0.68% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.56
Madagascar is located off the southeastern coast of Africa, and it shares borders with Mozambique (northwest) and the Indian Ocean (east). It’s ranking 20th on our list of top coffee-producing countries.
It produces 0.40% of the world’s coffee on 75.411 hectares. The yield per hectare is not that great: 0.56 tons/ha.
Madagascar produces Arabica and Robusta beans. Most of the coffee is grown in the northern and eastern parts of the country.
21. Papua New Guinea
Produced coffee: 40.980 tons (0.38% of total)
Harvested area: 38.590 ha (0.35% of total)
# tons/ha: 1.06
Papua New Guinea is located in Oceania and it shares borders with Indonesia (west) and the Pacific Ocean (east).
It produces 0.38% of the world’s coffee on 38.590 hectares. The yield per hectare is decent: 1.06 tons/ha.
Papua New Guinea produces Arabica and Robusta beans. Most of the coffee is grown in the eastern part of the country.
The coffee has a medium to whole body with chocolate and nutty flavors. You might also taste some sweetness and acidity.
22. Guinea
Produced coffee: 38.572 tons (0.36% of total)
Harvested area: 92.449 ha (0.84% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.42
Guinea is located in West Africa and shares borders with 5 countries: Ivory Coast (south), Liberia (southeast), Sierra Leone (west), Guinea-Bissau (northwest), and the Atlantic Ocean (north).
It produces 0.36% of the world’s coffee on 92.449 hectares. The yield per hectare is not that great: 0.42 tons/ha.
Guinea produces Robusta beans. Most of the coffee is grown in the eastern and southern parts of the country.
23. Kenya
Produced coffee: 36.900 tons (0.35% of total)
Harvested area: 119.70 ha (1.08% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.31
Kenya is located in East Africa and it shares borders with 5 countries: Ethiopia (north), South Sudan (northwest), Uganda (west), Tanzania (south), and the Indian Ocean (east).
It produces 0.35% of the world’s coffee on 119.70 hectares. The yield per hectare is not that great: 0.31 tons/ha.
Kenya produces Arabica beans. Most of the coffee is grown in the central and western parts of the country.
24. Cameroon
Produced coffee: 36.207 tons (0.34% of total)
Harvested area: 116.564 ha (1.06% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.31
Cameroon is located in Central Africa and it shares borders with 5 countries: Nigeria (west), Chad (north), the Central African Republic (east), Congo (southeast), and Gabon (south).
It produces 0.34% of the world’s coffee on 116.564 hectares. The yield per hectare is not that great: 0.31 tons/ha.
Cameroon produces Robusta beans. Most of the coffee is grown in the southern part of the country.
25. El Salvador
Produced coffee: 36.000 tons (0.34% of total)
Harvested area: 141.626 ha (1.28% of total)
# tons/ha: 0.25
El Salvador is located in Central America and it shares borders with Guatemala (west) and Honduras (east). It finishes our list of the 25 top coffee-producing countries in the world.
It produces 0.34% of the world’s coffee on 141.626 hectares. The yield per hectare is not that great: 0.25 tons/ha.
El Salvador produces Arabica beans. Most of the coffee is grown in the western part of the country.
Wrap up
These were the 25 top coffee-producing countries in the world according to data from the FAO.
As you can see, most of them are located in Latin America and Africa. Brazil is by far the biggest producer, followed by Vietnam and Colombia. Ethiopia is the only African country in the top 5. Indonesia rounds out the top 5.
Coffee is an important part of many people’s lives and it plays a significant role in the economies of these countries. These are just some of the top coffee-producing countries in the world.
Enjoy your coffee!