Consumption of decaffeinated coffee is difficult to gauge because many coffee consuming countries do not provide separate data on this. Nevertheless, we estimate world consumption in coffee importing countries, together with Brazil, to be less than ten percent of all coffee consumed. 

This we base on data gathered from trade sources, different publications and own estimates.
 

European Coffee Federation data (www.ecf-coffee.org) show 2005 production of roasted, decaffeinated coffee in selected EU countries as 138,617 tonnes. The total for non-decaffeinated, roasted coffee was 1,521,994 tonnes, meaning that at least 8.35% of total 2005 EU roastings were of the decaffeinated type. Even after allowing for some re-exports this percentage would appear to be reasonably in line with what is suggested in the table above.

According to the latest Coffee Drinking Study published by the National Coffee Association of the US (www.ncausa.org) consumption of decaffeinated coffee in the US has been growing strongly in the last two years. Consumption elsewhere is seen as fairly static but we cannot judge the impact, if any, of the introduction of new 'low-caffeine' or 'light' coffee products in many countries.

NB: Although not a coffee trade related issue we will comment on the market for natural caffeine in a subsequent Q&A.

Posted 26 January 2007