COFFEE Business Platform

We are the specialists

Together "strong, alert, hot" for Germany's favourite beverage

On average, 167 litres of coffee are consumed per capita in Germany every year. This makes it the most consumed beverage across the land. The aromatic bean also plays an important economic role: coffee is imported to Germany in large quantities, processed here, consumed and exported again. In terms of exports, Germany is the world champion. No other country exports more coffee products.  

Our strengths: Market research, legal advice, event and much more.


A strong product needs an agile association! We stand one hundred percent behind our more than 360 member companies. For more than 50 years we have been providing coffee companies with support in their business activities and have been making a sustained effort to promote optimum economic and political conditions in the coffee industry.

Come on board and become part of Europe's largest network for coffee companies! Benefit from the data from the representative association market research and from our free advice on coffee law issues. We have expert knowledge and offer the best platform for your networking in the coffee industry with our numerous congresses and conferences.  

100% for our members

Big or small – we are here for everyone.

From small start-ups to establish global brands the German Coffee Association represents numerous companies that trade in, process or otherwise do business with coffee. Our more than 360 members include sustainability organisations, coffee-financing banks, green coffee traders/agents and brokers, all well-known large brand roasters, around 150 speciality roasters, manufacturers of instant coffee, decaffeinators, shipping companies, logistics companies, warehousing providers, manufacturers of roasting facilities and equipment technology, food laboratories and producers and dealers of coffee and vending machines.

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News from us

Save the date: General meeting of the German Coffee Association

Get your tickets now:
General meeting of the German Coffee Association

A popular event highlight every year: On June 15, 2023, the 55th General Assembly of the German Coffee Association will take place in Hamburg, followed by a dinner party. Get your tickets now.

More information

We do a lot for our members

Central service point for coffee-related questions and issues

  • Conventions, information sessions, conferences and training
  • Exclusive market data and statistics
  • Specialised legal advice
  • Representation of interests
  • Press and public relations, issue management
  • Expert publications and training materials
  • Information on specialist topics, proposed legislation and research findings
  • Individual member services
  • Committees, working groups and commissions
  • Collaboration and networking at national and international level 
     

Our market research

Do you know the German coffee market? 
You will with us.

Our exclusive market data and statistics are the best basis for strategic decisions in the coffee business. Take advantage of insider knowledge from the market research of the German Coffee Association. Discover previously untapped market potential and discover new trends.

  • Representative: Over 10,000 coffee drinkers surveyed
  • Informative: Detailed insights into coffee consumption and purchasing behaviour
  • Extensive: Database with more than 500 charts
  • Up-to-date: Annual and quarterly analysis

All exclusive and free of charge for members!

Download handout (German)

Surprising coffee facts

Per capita consumption of coffee in Germany in 2022
German roasted coffee exports in 2022
Market share of filter coffee in home preparation in 2022
Whole bean" market share in home preparation in 2022
Market share of coffee capsules in the total roasted coffee market for home preparation in 2022
Sales growth of soluble coffee in 2022
Coffee away from home in 2022 (compared to previous year)
Receive all the latest exclusive coffee facts

We are climate neutral

We are climate neutral

The German Coffee Association operates in a climate-neutral manner and thus promotes the achievement of the global sustainability goals.

1. We reduce avoidable CO2 emissions
The CO2 emissions of the German Coffee Association’s office are continuously and sustainably reduced with the help of consistent monitoring of all CO2 emission sources. This also includes our events and printed materials.

2. We compensate CO2 emissions that cannot be avoided
All remaining emissions are compensated. The German Coffee Association proudly supports a brickyard in the coffee country of Columbia, that runs its modern, energy-efficient kilns with up to 80 percent renewable biomass.

We provide advice on legal matters

Uncertain about legal issues on coffee? 
Not with us, we will help you.

The German Coffee Association offers comprehensive advice on all aspects of coffee law – free of charge for our members.

No matter whether you have questions about coffee regulations, correct declaration, ingredients, emissions, coffee tax and much more – you will receive a competent, reliable and individual answer from us.

Review

"Sustainable Packaging"

Highest demands on optics, functionality and sustainability - coffee packaging 2023 is much more than a "case". This exciting complexity was the reason for more than 120 participants from 61 companies to attend the online event "Sustainable Packaging" last week. Eight speakers gave insights into sustainable packaging solutions and trends in 10-minute speed speeches.

Sustainably future-oriented: We would like to thank all sponsors, speakers and participants for the inspiring day.

More information

Review

"Coffee Congress 2023 & New Year's Reception"

The (coffee) year couldn't have started any better: On January 19, 2023, around 250 interested parties took part in the "Coffee Congress 2023 & New Year's Reception" in Berlin with enthusiasm, concentrated expertise and positive energy. Together we exchanged ideas and looked at the developments in the markets. Six lectures and seven speakers with red-hot topics offered first-class discussion bases. 

We would like to thank all sponsors, speakers and participants for a day full of professional enthusiasm, exciting exchange opportunities and perspectives that arouse curiosity about the eleven months to come.

More information

Review

International Virtual Congress on Coffee Capsules

Small capsules, big innovations

Passion meets innovation: 111 participants from 55 companies took the thrilling chance to be part of the 5th "International Virtual Congress on Coffee Capsules" on the 16 and 17 November 2022. Joining from 14 different countries all over the world, the participants listened to 11 wide-ranging lectures, all focusing on the coffee capsules.

We would like to thank the sponsors, speakers and participants for the highly professional exchange and the lively participation

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Sensory Science Update

Exchange of expert knowledge about coffee sensory

Inspiring and worthwhile: 130 coffee experts and enthusiasts from 65 companies were part of the online conference “Sensory Science Update”.

Their aim: Expanding their knowledge about this many-faceted field. In this context, seven lectures offered seven insights into the latest findings and studies about the sensory perception of coffee.

Review

Review

Virtual Coffee Congress 2022

Record number of participants: Coffee Congress 2022 – how are the markets developing?

Around 360 participants from 144 companies joined this year’s virtual coffee congress – a record number!

We are delighted with the outstanding interest and would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of this event: The eleven speakers – they gave us exciting insights into the financial and coffee market of tomorrow – the sponsors Brita and ofi as well as all participants who significantly enriched the congress with their questions and comments.

Review

Review

Virtual Congress on Coffee Capsules

A full day of market data, innovations, sustainability and regulations

Around 115 capsule experts from 15 countries around the world – amongst others South Korea, Canada and the USA – joined the 4th International Virtual Congress on Coffee Capsules and Trade Exhibition.

We are pleased about the great response to our event.

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Update Sustainability: New data, new projects, new insights

140 attendees ▪ 16 concise lectures ▪ numerous new data and findings

Two days dedicated to sustainability: Around 140 representatives from our member companies took part in the virtual sustainability conference of the German Coffee Association on September 22nd and 23rd. In 16 exciting and informative speed speeches, the participants obtained information from the cultivation to the cup, and about the latest data, projects and developments relating to sustainability along the coffee supply chain.

Review

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Coffee meets Universum

Great Presentations, grand networking and reunion

Under the slogan “Coffee meets Universum”, the German Coffee Association invited its members to a conference and evening event to Bremen on 13 September 2021. It was the first large industry meeting since Spring 2020.

Six first-class speakers presented up-to-date papers - a fascinating variety of themes, that are currently of high interest to the coffee industry. Following the conference, the group met for a grand get-together in the ‘Universum’ museum.

Review

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Coffee Roaster Online-Conference

Two days of live speeches, virtual exhibition, networking and knowledge exchange

The traditional Coffee Roaster Conference of the German Coffee Association took place on 4th and 5th May 2021. This event, aimed at speciality roasters, took place virtually for the first time.

This new model, a mix of top-class live speeches and virtual exhibition turned out to be very successful. Around 230 representatives of the association’s members’ organisations were in attendance. The two-day conference offered them nine informative presentations around new data, facts and industry trends. Furthermore, attendees had the chance to visit the virtual exhibition stands and to learn more about the exhibiting companies.

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Cold Brew Summit

Cold Brew Summit 2021

The German Coffee Association organised the Cold Brew Summit for the first time on 29th and 30th April 2021.

Nine exciting talks highlighted different perspectives around this new fashionable drink. We were delighted to see great interest in this virtual event: Approx. 90 coffee experts from 72 organisations were in attendance.

Review

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Sustainable Packaging

Sustainable packaging in the spotlight

The coffee industry has adopted towards sustainable packaging and companies continue to work on improving themselves in this area. The German Coffee Association supported its members by running an online seminar on ‘Sustainable Packaging’ on 21. April 2021.

Nine top-class experts presented relevant aspects and answered questions around this theme in speed speeches. This online event was well perceived: Approx. 150 attendees from 75 organisations joined virtually.

Review

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Coffee in Food Retailing

More than 80% of overall coffee purchases are made in supermarkets and discount shops. 

The large number of attendees that joined the online conference ‘Coffee trends and developments in the food retailing sector’ organised by the German Coffee Association, underlined the high relevance of this distribution chain. 

Approx. 140 representatives from 78 member organisations attended on 24th March 2021. Four presentations outlined facts and figures in food retailing and reported on further potential of this chain.

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Vending - potential for growth

Successful association cooperation

The German Coffee Association and the Federal Association of the German Vending Machine Industry invited to an online-seminar called ‘Vending market’s growth potential’ on 17th February 2021.

Approx. 250 vending experts from 136 companies attended this virtual event and got the latest updates, facts and figures in five talks. The following topics were covered: consumer behaviour in vending situations, vending trends, growth potential and relevant market changes.

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50 Years German Coffee Association

The World of Coffee met in Hamburg

Strong, alert, hot – this was the theme of the 50th anniversary celebration of the German Coffee Association, which occurred on 5th July 2019. The ceremonial act took place in the ‘Great Hall’ of the Elbphilharmonie. More than 1,800 guests from national and international coffee business met in the Hanseatic city. They enjoyed an impressive concert of the Symphonists of Hamburg. 

In the evening, 1,000 participates joined a Hamburg harbour tour to the fish auction hall, where the guests enjoyed an exclusive dinner.

Review

Europe´s largest Network of Coffee Companies

Come and join.

  • Are you looking for business contacts in the coffee world?
  • Do you need the latest facts and figures about the coffee market?
  • Would you like to exchange ideas with your coffee colleagues?
  • Do you have legal questions about the coffee industry?

Whether you are a small coffee start-up or a large corporation – 
we are your partner in all questions around our favourite drink coffee!

Submit a non-binding membership request

Herzlich Willkommen beim Deutschen Kaffeeverband

Die Welt des Kaffees entdecken

Die digitale Messe rund um Kaffee

Deutscher Kaffeeverband

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