A new report from the European Coffee Federation (ECF) quantifies the coffee sector's substantial economic contribution to the European Union. The study, conducted by Europe Economics, found that the industry directly supports approximately 1.5 million full-time equivalent jobs and generates €84.4 billion in direct Gross Value Added (GVA) across the 27 member states.
The report underscores Europe's position as the world's largest coffee market, accounting for an estimated 28% of global consumption. This demand provides a critical link to the approximately 12.5 million farming families worldwide, 85% of whom are smallholders, who depend on coffee cultivation for their livelihoods. According to the analysis, the sector has a significant multiplier effect, with every euro of direct production contributing to an estimated €2.60 in overall economic output when indirect and induced effects are included.
A key finding highlights the importance of the out-of-home channel, with over 87% of the sector's jobs concentrated in the Horeca (hotels, restaurants, and catering) segment. The report also illustrates the strategic importance of the EU market for producing countries. For example, while Burundi and Uganda account for only 0.2% and 5.6% of the EU's total coffee imports respectively, the European market absorbs about 91% of Burundi's and 56% of Uganda's total coffee exports, demonstrating the deep interdependence of the global coffee supply chain.