The coffee sector contributes €84.4 billion in gross value added (GVA) and supports approximately 1.5 million full-time equivalent jobs across the European Union, according to a new report released in June. The study, commissioned by the European Coffee Federation (ECF), provides a comprehensive analysis of coffee's economic footprint in the EU's 27 member states.
The analysis, prepared by consultancy Europe Economics, highlights the out-of-home segment as the primary driver of this economic activity. The hospitality and foodservice sector—including cafés, restaurants, and hotels—reportedly generates €76.5 billion in direct GVA and accounts for over 87% of the industry's employment. The report indicates that the majority of the coffee economy's value is created after the beans enter the continent, through activities like trading, roasting, logistics, and retail.
The study also underscores the EU's critical role as a destination market for coffee-producing countries. During the 2025/26 coffee year, the EU27 is estimated to have consumed 41.9 million 60-kg bags, representing about 24% of global consumption. In 2025, the bloc imported 2.9 million tonnes of coffee from non-EU nations, valued at €18.7 billion. Significantly for producers and exporters, over 97% of these imports consisted of green, unroasted coffee.