Green coffee, derived from unroasted coffee beans, retains a distinctive green hue and possesses a grassy aroma. Serving as the precursor to roasted coffee, these beans anchor themselves as a valuable component in both specialty roasting and health products. In this article, we delve into the facets of the green coffee market, its stakeholders, and the commercial production process.
Green coffee beans originate from coffee plants, bypassing the roasting phase to present unique flavors cherished by specialty coffee roasters. Shipped globally to roasters, these beans are preserved in their virgin state to maintain their innate flavors and scent. Besides roasting, green coffee extracts are integrated into health supplements, lauded for their antioxidant properties aiding weight loss and overall well-being.
The market for green coffee is inexorably linked to the broader global coffee industry. Driven by burgeoning demand in developing regions and a rising penchant for premium coffee, the global green coffee market, valued at USD 5.8 billion in 2020, is projected to soar to USD 8.3 billion by 2026, attaining a CAGR of 6.2%. Major contributors like Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, and Ethiopia spearhead the production, while giants like Nestle, Starbucks, and JDE Peet's dominate consumption.
The commercial production of green coffee involves several intricate steps:
Coffee plants yield fruit annually, with harvests executed through manual or mechanical means, contingent on geography and farm scale.
Post-harvest, the beans undergo processing to unveil the green coffee core. Methods include:
Processed beans undergo meticulous sorting and grading, ensuring that only impeccable quality is shipped to buyers.
Finally, expertly sorted beans are safely packaged for transit, with traders managing beans selection and price negotiations with global buyers.
The green coffee market represents a symbiotic network of growers, traders, and roasters who collectively fuel global coffee consumption. With industry expansion expected, it will continue to thrive, driven by an ever-growing appetite for quality coffee experiences.