Coffee Demand: How Much Coffee Does Starbucks Consume Daily?
It’s no secret that Starbucks is one of the largest and most popular coffee chains in the world. The company sources coffee from over 34 countries and supports more than 1.6 million farmers and their families throughout the tropics and Latin America. Starbucks has established relationships with local coffee farmers and communities in order to ensure reliable and sustainable coffee supply.
On average, Starbucks uses about 4 million pounds of coffee beans daily across all of its stores worldwide. This amount of coffee is equal to approximately 1,330 50-pound bags of coffee. The equivalent of 2,263,610 gallons of coffee drinks are served daily, or 8 years worth of coffee every day.
These coffee beans are stored in special warehouses and carefully tested before arriving in Starbucks stores. During the coffee testing process, baristas sort and roast coffee beans in order to bring out the optimal flavor and aroma. All coffee beans are roasted before being served in stores to ensure the quality of the coffee.
Additionally, Starbucks purchases about five million pounds of coffee that then gets filtered and washed before it arrives in Starbucks stores. The washing process is crucial for producing the perfect cup of coffee. This process uses natural spring water that is filtered in order to eliminate any impurities.
By investing in coffee farms and operating more efficient warehouses, Starbucks is able to reduce its costs while ensuring quality. The company also emphasizes a commitment to ethical and sustainable sourcing practices. Starbucks has helped to improve working conditions and wages for coffee farmers and their families.
In order to further stay competitive, Starbucks customers can enjoy free Wi-Fi in all of its stores, as well as a selection of exclusive coffees that cannot be found elsewhere. The company labels special coffees based on their production method, taste, and region of origin. One example of a Starbucks exclusive brand is its “Ethiopia Blend”, which is a single-origin, 100% Arabica coffee beans that are grown in the mountains of Ethiopia.
Coffee Consumption Statistics
According to 2017 figures, Starbucks uses about 4.2 billion pounds of coffee annually, with estimates of adding nearly 1 billion pounds by 2022. The company spends over $3.7 billion annually on coffee and barista-related items. Based on this data, it’s estimated that Starbucks spends around $114 million on coffee beans alone.
Furthermore, the United States is the top consumer of coffee in the world, with about one-third of the global coffee consumption. While the United States accounts for 39% of all coffee retail sales, Canada is the second-highest consumer with 28%. The other top 5 countries are Germany, Australia and Japan.
At the same time, a variety of coffee-producing countries account for over 91% of the world’s coffee production, with Brazil, Vietnam and Columbia leading the way. In 2018, Vietnam had the highest production output, with over 1.5 million bags of coffee. Brazil followed suit, with over 1 million bags imported, and Columbia with over 687,000 bags.
According to commodity markets, coffee prices tend to fluctuate on a regular basis. Factors that affect coffee prices include weather, crop production, and international demand for certain types of coffee. Additionally, the global economy is another factor that influences the market.
Coffee Sourcing
Starbucks has taken strides to establish more direct relationships with farmers and increase their understanding of the land and its traditions.
At its core, Starbucks aims to leverage its collective resources in order to create lasting change for farmers, their families and their communities. By strengthening these relationships, Starbucks is able to source ethically and sustainably grown coffees.
In addition, Starbucks works with farmers to build better homes, drinkable water sources and access to primary health care. Starbucks has established a long-term commitment to improve the livelihoods of its farmers and improve the coffee industry.
Starbucks also provides access to loans and credit products, as well as advanced growing techniques, agronomy training, and coffee processing and quality control resources. Additionally, it has established partnerships with coffee cooperatives, farmer groups and Fair Trade certified producers.
Economic Impact
In addition to providing coffee farmers with better living conditions, Starbucks also has a deep impact on the global economy. The company claims that its coffee retail business creates 1.6 million new jobs in the countries where it is active. In addition, its high-quality, fresh-roasted beans have helped to lift the value of coffee for farmers.
The company is also committed to addressing climate change, reducing its water use and greenhouse gas emissions. Through its agricultural investments, Starbucks has helped to improve crop yields and soil health while returning economic benefits to farmers and their families.
Environmental Benefits
This dedication to sustainability extends beyond Starbucks’ coffee sourcing practices. The company has committed to tripling its use of certified sustainable coffee by 2020. Starbucks’ first organic coffee farm in Costa Rica has set an example for other coffee farmers looking to make the switch to organic.
Recently, Starbucks has pledged to cut its own carbon emissions in half over the next five years, and to use 100% renewable energy by 2030. This commitment is part of Starbucks’ global sustainability goals and is part of the company’s larger goal of becoming a leader in the green economy.
Moreover, Starbucks has also created sustainability-focused programs such as its recycling and reuse initiatives, which are designed to help reduce waste and create jobs in local communities.
Coffee Drinking Trends
According to a study done by the National Coffee Association, coffee drinking trends in the US have been steadily increasing in recent years. As of 2017, the study found that 64% of US adults drink coffee every day, compared to the 57% who drank coffee a year ago. Additionally, specialty coffee drinks such as iced coffee and flavored coffees are becoming more popular among younger demographic.
At the same time, research shows that coffee demand is growing across the world. The global coffee market size is expected to reach $81.8 billion by 2025. Additionally, local and independent coffee shops are becoming more popular, leading to increased competition for Starbucks.
As the world’s largest coffee roaster, Starbucks is well-known for its commitment to quality and sustainability. The company is continually adapting and expanding its operations in order to meet the increasing demand for coffee and create a positive economic impact on the developing countries in which its coffee is sourced.
