To mark this year’s UK Coffee Week, the BCA has released new figures on the impact of coffee on the UK economy. The data comes from a report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), commissioned by the BCA. 

The analysis shows that our insatiable love of coffee and growing demand for it has helped to grow the industry by around 7% since 2012.

• The industry’s total contribution to the UK’s economy currently stands at around £17.7 billion, including direct, indirect, and induced impacts.
• Not only is our love for coffee helping the industry contribute more to the UK economy year-on-year, but it is also supporting more job creation in Britain than ever before, with 210,325 jobs including direct, indirect and induced impacts.
• Between 2016 and 2017 the number of people employed in coffee-related activities increased by nearly 10%.

Commenting on the figures, Chris Stemman, Executive Director of the BCA, said: “The UK has fallen in love with its coffee and this has been fuelled by both the growing coffee shop culture and the increasing desire for ‘barista quality’ coffee at home. This has contributed, positively, to increasing the number of people employed within the sector but also coffee’s contribution to the UK economy.”  

Instant coffee is still a UK favourite and the most commonly purchased type of coffee, contributing to around 70% of all coffee products sold in the UK. However roast and ground, pods, and coffee shop sales are also increasing. You can view the full report here.

UK Coffee Week is an important initiative with thousands of participating coffee shops, retailers and foodservice outlets fundraising for Project Waterfall - a charitable initiative bringing clean water, sanitation and education to coffee-growing communities across the world. 

#MyCupMatters

References:

CEBR, The UK Coffee Market and its impact on the economy – April 2018

Mintel, Coffee UK – September 2018