China's Coffee Imports Slow: What the H1 2026 Data Shows

28 July 2026 | Shanghai, China

China's coffee imports fell 7.2% by volume in the first half of 2026 to 123,800 tonnes, with June alone down 36% year‑on‑year. Ethiopia remained the largest supplier, accounting for around a third of green bean imports.

China's Coffee Imports Slow: What the H1 2026 Data Shows

China's coffee import figures for the first half of 2026 point to a clear cooling after several years of rapid growth. The June numbers, in particular, show a sharp contraction.

What the Data Shows

June 2026 — a steep monthly drop

China imported 19,000 tonnes of coffee products in June 2026, down 36% from 29,800 tonnes in the same month last year. Import value fell further, down 38.5% year‑on‑year to RMB 1.025 billion — meaning the drop in value outpaced the drop in volume.

Green coffee beans fell even more sharply. June imports totalled 14,600 tonnes, down 44% from 26,400 tonnes a year earlier.

First half 2026 — a milder decline

Across the six months to June, the picture is softer. Cumulative coffee product imports reached 123,800 tonnes, down 7.2% from 133,400 tonnes in the same period last year. Import value came to RMB 6.74 billion, down 6.2%.

Green coffee bean imports for the half year reached 98,400 tonnes, a 9.1% decline from 108,300 tonnes.

Where the coffee comes from

Ethiopia was China's largest supplier in June 2026, accounting for 33.47% of total imports. Over the full half year, China imported 34,000 tonnes of Ethiopian green beans — around 34% of the total.

The top five origins — Ethiopia, Vietnam, Brazil, Uganda, and Colombia — together supplied 87.7% of imports.

Why This Matters for Exporters

Two things stand out in these numbers.

First, the June drop is much steeper than the half‑year trend. A 36% monthly fall against a 7.2% cumulative decline suggests the slowdown accelerated late in the period, rather than running evenly through the half. That may reflect inventory built up earlier in the year, shifting buyer timing, or price sensitivity at origin — but it is a signal worth watching in the second half.

Second, value fell faster than volume. With import value down 38.5% in June against a 36% volume decline, the average price per tonne edged lower. For exporters, that points to buyers trading down to lower‑priced options or negotiating harder, not simply buying less.

Supply remains concentrated. With the top five origins holding 87.7% of the market and Ethiopia alone near a third, new‑origin suppliers face an established field. For roasters and traders outside those five countries, differentiation — specialty grades, certification, traceability — matters more than price alone.

Takeaway

China's coffee market is not collapsing, but the rapid growth phase has paused. A single half‑year does not define a trend, and the June figure may prove to be a timing effect rather than a structural shift.

For exporters, the practical response is to watch the second‑half data before concluding, and to plan on a market where buyers are more price‑conscious, and supply is already concentrated among a handful of established origins.

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Note on scope: Coffee product statistics cover HS codes 09011100, 09011200, 09012100, 09012200, 21011100, and 21011200. Green coffee bean statistics cover HS code 09011100 only.

About Shanghai Specit Management Consulting Co Ltd

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Disclaimer: This article is based on China Customs data and is intended for informational purposes only. Customs figures are subject to revision.