Jamaican coffee exports are bucking the global trend. Its rising when others commodity coffees are falling.
Jamaican coffee exports rose by 18 percent to US$27 million in 2023, up from US$23 million in 2022, that’s latest data from the UN Tradecen the bible of global trade.
This increase is especially significant in light of the challenges facing the global coffee industry, where major players like Colombia, Kenya, and Brazil have all reported declines in export volumes due to a mix of environmental and economic factors.
The United Nations’ trade data show that global coffee exports dropped from US$46 billion in 2022 to US$42 billion in 2023. Countries like Colombia saw a sharp one-third decrease, while Kenya and Brazil reported dips of 20 percent and 14 percent, respectively. These declines are largely attributed to unfavorable weather conditions, including droughts and floods, as well as ongoing economic uncertainty.
In contrast, Jamaica’s coffee sector, particularly its renowned Blue Mountain coffee, has remained resilient, bolstered by a strong demand for premium beans in key markets like Japan, the USA, and China. Japan remains Jamaica’s largest coffee importer, accounting for 50 percent of the country’s exports, followed by the USA and China.
Despite weather challenges and predictions that the 2024 crop may shrink, Jamaica’s coffee farmers have benefited from strategic shifts towards premium markets, a focus on quality, and the growing trend among consumers to support small-batch and ethically sourced coffee.
While other major coffee-producing regions continue to struggle, Jamaica’s coffee industry appears to be on a path of sustained growth, positioning itself as a unique player in the high-end segment of the global coffee market.
jamaicamocha 