October 1 annual observance to raise awareness about coffee’s socio-economic importance and contribution to food security

Rome/New York – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) welcomes the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) proclaiming October 1 as International Coffee Day.

Approved on Tuesday in New York, the resolution recognizes the “cultural, social and historical significance of coffee, from its origins to its significant role in the development of contemporary societies, in which it has become not only an important agricultural commodity and source of livelihood for communities, but also a symbol of social interaction, cultural expression and everyday tradition across generations.”

The resolution also highlights the contribution of coffee production and processing to several Sustainable Development Goals: the fight against hunger (SDG 2), the reduction of extreme poverty (SDG 1), the empowerment of women (SDG 5), and the promotion of decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).

“Coffee is more than a beverage, it is a globally traded commodity – from beans to the coffee service – that sustains the livelihoods of millions of farming households, and connects rural communities to markets across the world,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. “Recognizing the value of the coffee sector will raise awareness about its socio-economic importance and strengthen its contribution to eradicating poverty. We look forward to celebrating the Day and its values.”

Tuesday’s resolution was submitted to UNGA for consideration following its adoption by the FAO Conference during its 44th session in 2025.

Under the UN resolution, FAO is invited to facilitate the observance of International Coffee Day in collaboration with relevant organizations, in particular the International Coffee Organization.

The importance of coffee

Coffee also remains one of the world’s most traded commodities. In 2024, global production surpassed 11 million tonnes, with approximately 8 million tonnes of coffee beans traded internationally. That year, the value of global coffee production was estimated at nearly $25 billion, while world trade in coffee beans reached about $34 billion.

For many low-income countries, coffee exports constitute a crucial source of foreign exchange. In 2024, coffee accounted for 27.9 percent of total merchandise exports in Ethiopia, 20.1 percent in Uganda and 19.5 percent in Burundi. In both Ethiopia and Uganda, coffee export revenues exceeded the food import bills, while in Burundi they represented nearly 20 percent of the country’s food import bill.

In 2024, Brazil and Viet Nam were the leading coffee exporters, while the European Union and the United States of America were the largest importers.

FAO’s contribution to coffee production

FAO supports coffee-producing countries and communities through a wide range of initiatives.

• Addressing the climate crisis: FAO’s work helps coffee farmers adapt to climate challenges through measures such as pest management and the conservation of traditional coffee systems in Panama through the FAO’s Farmer Field Schools programme; agroforestry and climate‑resilient coffee variety initiatives in East Africa; and strengthened cooperative models in Cuba.
• Supporting producers in evolving markets: The global coffee market increasingly requires traceability and compliance with new sustainability standards. FAO is working with producers and governments in countries including Honduras, Guatemala and Uganda to develop robust traceability systems, align national policies with international frameworks and mobilize investment for more than 200,000 smallholders.
• Mobilizing investment: Through its Investment Centre and initiatives such as the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative, FAO is helping countries unlock financing that strengthens farmer livelihoods and builds long‑term value. In Brazil, Costa Rica and Honduras, projects carried out with partners such as the World Bank are improving efficiency and farmer incomes. In El Salvador, FAO supported the formulation of a comprehensive national coffee plan.

With the establishment of International Coffee Day, FAO stands ready to work with Members and partners to ensure that the Day becomes a platform for collaboration, knowledge‑sharing and action across the entire coffee value chain. By shining a light on the challenges and opportunities facing millions of producers worldwide, the observance aims to strengthen global commitment to an efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable coffee sector that contributes meaningfully to food security and rural development.