In 2023, the National Coffee Association published its first update since 2015 to the NCA U.S. Coffee Economic Impact Report (independently produced by Technomic).
More than 70% of American adults drink coffee each week, making coffee America’s favorite beverage (other than bottled water). Unsurprisingly, the NCA U.S. Coffee Economic Impact Report shows coffee’s significant impact on U.S. jobs and economic activity in communities in every U.S. state and territory.
Highlights of coffee’s economic impact in the United States include:
- The total economic impact of the coffee industry in the United States in 2022 was $343.2 billion, up 52.4% since 2015.
- The coffee industry is responsible for more than 2.2 million U.S. jobs and generates more than $100 billion in wages per year.
- Coffee can only be grown in tropical climates. It cannot be grown in most of the United States and is sourced from countries with tropical climates. Every $1 in coffee imported to the United States ends up creating an estimated $43 in value here at home. Learn more about coffee and trade here.
- Consumers spend more than $300 million on coffee products every day—nearly $110 billion per year.
About the NCA U.S. Coffee Economic Impact Report
The NCA U.S. Coffee Economic Impact Report reflects all economic activity related to coffee and its value added to the U.S. economy. Nearly all U.S. coffee consumption relies on coffee beans grown by farmers in the tropical regions suited to the crop. The United States produces less than 1 percent of all coffee consumed domestically, with farmers in Hawaii and Puerto Rico growing coffee in America. Once imported, green coffee beans are transported, warehoused, processed, roasted, prepared, and distributed by coffee businesses in America that are pillars of economic activity and ensure America has a steady supply of its favorite beverage (other than tap water).
Elements of coffee’s economic impact in the United States include:
- Trade and import
- Storage and transport, including shipping and trucking
- Roasting and packaging
- Production of coffee additions like dairy, dairy alternatives, sweeteners, and flavorings
- Production of serving products (napkins, cups, etc.)
- Manufacturing, sale, and maintenance of specialized consumer and commercial equipment
- Provision of professional services such as accounting, marketing, and promotion
- Direct and indirect employment, wages and taxes
- Induced spending by those working in the coffee economy
The NCA U.S. Economic Impact Report was commissioned by the NCA and produced by Technomic, Inc., a leading food and beverage industry consulting agency who experts draw on a wide variety of primary and secondary government and other data sources, interviews with industry experts, proprietary databases, and IMPLAN modeling software originally developed by the U.S. government to measure economic activity.