Instant Coffee Consumption in Brazil Increases 6.2% in Q1 2025
CoffeeNetwork (New York) - According to data updated by the Brazilian Association of the Soluble Coffee Industry (Abics), the country's population consumed 5.6 thousand tons (equivalent to 240,851 60 kg bags) of the product in the first quarter of 2025, representing a growth of 6.2% compared to the same period in 2024.
By type of product consumed, there was a 44.9% increase in freeze dried (lyophilized), to 1,013 thousand tons, and a 0.2% increase in spray dried (powder), to 4.545 thousand tons. The consumption of all types of imported instant coffee, in turn, showed a decrease of 18%, corresponding to only 167 thousand kg — already included in the total compilation of spray and freeze dried.
According to Aguinaldo Lima, Director of Institutional Relations at Abics, given the soaring prices of coffee for consumers around the world, due to the reduction in global supply caused by extreme weather conditions and logistical bottlenecks, instant coffee presents itself as a more economical alternative for coffee lovers.
A study conducted by Abics, considering the volume of 1 kg of roasted and roasted and ground coffee in comparison with 1 kg of soluble coffee, both divided by the proportion of grams used to prepare 50 ml of each type (quantity of possible doses) and by the average price per kg in supermarkets, indicates that soluble coffee is 33% to 40% cheaper, with its value per dose being between R$0.18 and R$0.29 more affordable than the R$0.30 to R$0.43 of the traditional product.
Prices are average references and may vary depending on the brand and place of purchase.
“Unlike roasted whole bean or roasted and ground coffee, instant coffee offers consumers a relatively lower cost per cup, in addition to not requiring additional costs for filters and other utensils for its preparation. In times of inflation significantly impacting Brazilians’ pockets and tables, this is an essential saving, generated by practicality and better cost-benefit, which allows us to continue to consume heated coffee,” says Lima.
The director of Abics notes that the product is also an alternative that does not compromise quality for consumers. “Instant coffee allows Brazilians to continue enjoying their daily coffee without sacrificing flavor or budget, in addition to preventing them from being tempted by other industrialized products that pass themselves off as coffee,” he comments.
According to him, to ensure a satisfactory experience with instant coffee, it is essential to pay attention to the origin of the coffee, the manufacturing process and the expiration date. “Choosing recognized brands with quality seals is a good strategy to ensure that the flavor and aroma of the coffee will be preserved and that the daily pleasure of drinking our favorite drink will not be compromised and will not affect our budget”, he concludes.
EXPORTS
Brazil's shipments of instant coffee are out of step with the rest of the production chain and have grown in the first quarter of this year. From January to the end of March, 977,659 bags of the product were shipped to 72 countries, which represents an increase of 7.9% compared to the volume recorded in the same period in 2024.
“It is worth remembering that this result has not yet been impacted by the tariff confusion caused by US President Donald Trump, who will impose a 10% tax on coffee imported from Brazil in 90 days, a lower percentage than that applied to some of our main competitors, such as Vietnam ( 46% ). This is a scenario that could represent opportunities for Brazilian industries,” Lima predicts.
For comparative purposes, exports of other types of coffee from Brazil — Arabica, Canephora (conilon and Robusta) and the roasted and roasted and ground segment — totaled 9.729 million bags in the first quarter of 2025, a drop of 12.8% compared to the 11.164 million shipped between January and March last year, according to data from the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafé).
In terms of foreign exchange revenue, instant coffee generated US$282.4 million for Brazil's coffers in the first quarter of this year. This amount represents a substantial increase of 56.6% compared to the US$180.4 million recorded in the same period in 2024.
MAIN BUYERS
Among the main buyers of soluble coffee from Brazil, the United States led the ranking, with the acquisition of the equivalent of 153,320 bags in the first quarter of 2025. Closing the top 5 were Argentina, with 77,081 bags; Russia, with 64,822 bags; Mexico, with 51,767 bags; and Chile, with 50,620 bags.
Alexis Rubinstein
