Coffee consumption declines in Germany in 2024

Total per capita consumption dropped nearly 2% in volumes to 163 litres, according to local trade body Deutscher Kaffeeverband.

Coffee consumption dipped year-on-year in Germany last year, according to new findings from the Deutscher Kaffeeverband (German Coffee Association), Just Drinks reported.

In 2024, per capita coffee consumption dropped nearly 2% in volume to roughly 163 liters from 166 litres in 2023, returning to similar levels seen prior to Covid.

Per capita consumption, the trade body confirmed, includes volume sales from retail and out-of-home.

Despite the dip, there were segments that saw growth, including the whole bean coffee segment, which saw sales volumes increase 2% in the year to 189,300 tons, “continuing the positive trend of recent years”.

Demand also grew in 2024 for instant coffee and sustainably certified goods, the German Coffee Association said.

Classic instant coffee volumes were up 1.3% at 19,250 tons. Sales volumes of instant coffee products mixed, such as those mixed with sugar and milk powder, grew 6% in 2024 to 7,300 tons.

“The often overlooked growth in the area of instant coffee is particularly interesting,” said Holger Preibisch, general manager of the Association.

“While classic instant coffee grew by around 2%, a segment in high demand has established itself in recent years: so-called mixtures. These are individual portions of soluble coffee, some already pre-portioned with sugar and milk powder. These products recorded a sales increase of around 6% in 2024 and have doubled in the last ten years.”

Out-of-home consumption of coffee per capita also increased 1% over 2023 to 123.900 tons, with more coffee being drunk in restaurants, at work and “on-the-go”.

Roughly 20% of coffee packages now display a sustainable certification, such as organic, Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance logos, on the German market, Preibisch added.

“The current figures show that coffee serves many trends: enjoyment, uncomplicated preparation and sustainability,” he added.