The Cost of Starbucks’ Coffee Imports

The well-known coffee chain Starbucks imports their coffee beans from different nations all over the world. These beans’ quality, country of origin, and the state of the market can all affect how much they cost to import. Starbucks typically spends $1.6 billion yearly on coffee beans, which is a sizable chunk of its overall costs.

Starbucks acquired 632 million pounds of coffee beans in that year alone, according to their annual report for 2020. These beans were mainly sourced from Latin America, then the Asia-Pacific region, Africa, and the Middle East. Coffee bean import prices can change depending on a variety of variables, including the state of the economy, political unrest, and consumer demand worldwide. For instance, a severe drought in Brazil in 2019 resulted in lower coffee production and higher coffee prices.

Brazil will produce more than 2.5 million metric tons of coffee beans in 2020, making it the world’s top producer of the beverage. Vietnam, Colombia, and Indonesia are a few additional significant coffee-producing nations. Ethiopia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala are just a few of the roughly 30 nations from which Starbucks purchases its coffee beans.

It’s hard to pick a clear winner when determining the top coffee brand in America. However, a 2021 poll by Statista found that among American coffee chains, Dunkin’ (originally Dunkin’ Donuts) has the highest levels of patron loyalty. Tim Hortons, Caribou Coffee, Starbucks, and Tim Hortons were in that order.

The restaurant that sells the most coffee is not a chain of coffee shops, but rather a household name in fast food: McDonald’s. McDonald’s sells more than 500 million cups of coffee annually in the United States alone, according QSR Magazine. This is partly attributable to the chain’s well-known McCafé line of coffee beverages.

The Caffè Florian in Venice, Italy, is the oldest coffee chain in the world. Since its founding in 1720, it has become a well-liked vacation spot for coffee drinkers. Contrarily, Starbucks, which was established in Seattle, Washington, in 1971, has expanded to become one of the biggest coffee businesses in the world.

In conclusion, importing coffee beans can be expensive for Starbucks and depends on a number of different factors. Brazil is the world’s top producer of coffee, and among American coffee chains, Dunkin’ enjoys the highest levels of patronage. While Caffè Florian is the oldest coffee chain in the world, McDonald’s sells the most coffee of any American restaurant.