Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages. Gross imports of all types of coffee have quadrupled from 32.8 million bags in 1949 to 125.57 million bags in 2009 However, statistics on gross imports are a poor indicator of demand as they ignore re-exports. In 2009 re-exports accounted for some 35.27 million bags, although in the past they were not as important as they are today. Data on re-exports is not available prior to 1964 but the figure below shows the growth in gross exports since 1949 and in total net imports since 1963. Net imports reflect what is consumed in the country of importation plus any surplus that goes into inventories.
A more accurate indicator of consumption is provided by statistics on disappearance which take into account re-exports and changes in the level of stocks held in importing countries. The table below shows world gross imports, net imports, disappearance and inventories by form of coffee over the period 2004 - 2009.
World Gross and net imports, disappearance and inventories by form of
coffee:2004–2009 (million bags)
|
|
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
2009
|
A. Gross imports
|
115.7
|
116.3
|
121.6
|
126.4
|
129.0
|
125.6
|
Green
|
91.1
|
89.7
|
93.2
|
95.9
|
97.7
|
95.9
|
Roasted
|
9.4
|
10.9
|
12.3
|
12.8
|
13.8
|
13.1
|
Soluble
|
15.2
|
15.7
|
16.1
|
17.7
|
17.5
|
16.6
|
B. Gross re-exports
|
27.0
|
28.9
|
30.6
|
32.9
|
35.6
|
35.3
|
Green
|
7.7
|
8.4
|
8.9
|
9.4
|
11.7
|
11.2
|
Roasted
|
8.8
|
10.2
|
11.5
|
12.4
|
13.5
|
13.3
|
Soluble
|
10.5
|
10.3
|
10.2
|
11.1
|
10.4
|
10.8
|
C. Net Imports
|
88.7
|
87.4
|
91.0
|
93.5
|
93.4
|
90.3
|
Green
|
83.4
|
81.3
|
84.3
|
85.5
|
86.0
|
84.7
|
Roasted
|
0.6
|
0.7
|
0.8
|
0.4
|
0.3
|
- 0.2
|
Soluble
|
4.6
|
5.4
|
5.9
|
6.6
|
7.1
|
5.8
|
D. Disappearance
|
89.0
|
88.2
|
90.1
|
93.0
|
93.9
|
91.3
|
E.
Inventories as at 31
December*
|
20.3
|
20.2
|
19.1
|
21.1
|
21.4
|
22.6
|
Source: ICO
*comprises all
stocks in consuming countries including stocks in free ports