Coffee lovers are facing a troubling situation: the soaring price of coffee beans. Arabica and Robusta varieties account for over 99% of the coffee beans traded globally, and the prices for both have been skyrocketing. Brazil is the largest producer of Arabica, while Vietnam leads in Robusta production. The primary cause of these recent price hikes is supply instability in Brazil and Vietnam, resulting from crop damage caused by extreme weather. Another factor is the growing number of coffee enthusiasts; according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, coffee consumption in China has surged by more than 40% over the past five years. Coffee culture is taking root across Asian nations as incomes rise and populations grow. The impact of rising demand coinciding with shrinking supply is beginning to manifest clearly.
Serious problems arise when global demand for coffee outstrips supply. Yet, where there are problems, people step forward to solve them. Crucial to these solutions is a system that stabilizes the livelihoods of coffee producers; a stable income for farmers forms the foundation that allows enthusiasts to continue enjoying delicious coffee. However, repeated crop damage due to extreme weather has made farmers’ incomes unstable. One organization tackling this challenge is World Coffee Research (WCR). WCR collects high-quality Arabica varieties from around the world at its headquarters to cultivate and propagate them. These propagated varieties are then test-grown in producing regions across various countries. The insights gained from these trials are shared to support climate change adaptation and improve cultivation techniques. WCR’s provision of technical expertise appears to be having a positive impact on the global coffee bean market. Additionally, UCC is collaborating with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Marubeni to provide technical support to small-scale coffee farmers in Tanzania. These initiatives aim to improve quality and increase production volumes, thereby securing stable income for coffee farmers.
However, there are instances that a stable supply of coffee beans simply cannot be secured. Companies have emerged to tackle this challenge. Japan’s leading beverage company, the Coca-Cola Group, has announced plans to enter the “bean-free coffee” market—a product made without coffee beans—starting this autumn. The group will launch a bean-free coffee product called “CAFEWATER,” which utilizes corn-derived dietary fiber. This marks the first time Coca-Cola will introduce a bean-free coffee product in Japan. CAFEWATER is characterized by a profile that allows it to be consumed like water while still offering the rich body typical of coffee. The product emphasizes a reduction in the intense caffeine, bitterness, and astringency often associated with coffee; instead, it recreates the coffee flavor by combining aromatic compounds with flavor elements that produce sweetness, bitterness, and acidity. There is now much discussion in the market about whether “bean-free coffee” will take hold and spark a major trend.
