Brazil's recent coffee export data reveals the emergence of China as a significant importer, having appeared in the ranking a few years ago and moved up to sixth place in January. Although the country only accounts for 4% of Brazil's total coffee exports, a sharp rise in imports has recently begun, according to a report by hEDGEpoint.

"If China maintains its current average annual per capita growth rate of 12% [in coffee consumption], in contrast to the global average of 0.5%, the country could potentially secure fifth place in global coffee consumption. This would put China behind the European Union, the United States, Brazil and Japan," says Natália Gandolphi, an analyst who signed the text.

Per capita coffee consumption in China is 0.21 kilos per year, well below the world average of 1.3 kilos per person. The potential for imports is between 6.5 million and 7.5 million bags.

(Source: Globo Rural, on February 20)