Coffee market in the UK - statistics & facts
The coffee market in the United Kingdom is distinctly different from other European countries. Coffee drinkers in the UK are avid consumers of instant coffee. The top instant coffee brands reach far more consumers than their fresh ground counterparts. Instant coffee is a historical leftover from World War II, introduced by U.S. military personnel. The product took hold in what was largely a tea drinking market.
UK companies sold about 31 thousand tons of roasted coffee in 2022. The sales value of roasted coffee manufactured in the UK amounted to roughly 289 million British pounds. UK imports of coffee were valued at over one billion British pounds in 2023, with almost two-thirds coming from non-EU countries and the rest coming from EU countries. The two leading partners for UK coffee imports were Brazil and Switzerland.
Industry landscape
The coffee and tea processing industry in the UK generated a revenue of nearly 2.4 billion British pounds. The industry adds a gross value of 691 million British pounds to the UK GDP. The number of coffee processing enterprises has generally been growing since 2012, with 122 active enterprises in 2021. As of 2022, it decreased slightly to a number of 110.UK companies sold about 31 thousand tons of roasted coffee in 2022. The sales value of roasted coffee manufactured in the UK amounted to roughly 289 million British pounds. UK imports of coffee were valued at over one billion British pounds in 2023, with almost two-thirds coming from non-EU countries and the rest coming from EU countries. The two leading partners for UK coffee imports were Brazil and Switzerland.
