Consumption of coffee in Germany

The consumption of coffee in Germany is increasing after reached 418.4 thousand tons recording a slight decrease (-0.4% in 2012). Compared to the previous years, quantities remained almost stable during the period 2010-2012.

Among the different types of coffee, the roasted coffee decreased by 3.3% in 2012 while on the contrary the consumption of espresso/caffè crème increased by 11.6% (66 thousand tons). Decaffeinated coffee is about 7% of roasted coffee while 30% of espresso/caffè creme is imported from Italy. In general the consumption of filter coffee is declining during the recent years while requests of espresso are increasing.

Continue the growth of portioned coffee that reached 39.5 thousand tons with an increase of 4.5% in 2012 and 6.7% during the last three years. Pods represents about 80% of total while capsules are 20%. The segment of capsules recorded a strong increase (+15.5%).

Soluble and instant coffee represent 4% of total coffee consumption. The segment recorded a slight increase in 2012 (+0.5%) in particular due to the best performance of pure soluble coffee (+0.8%) which represents 75.7%.

With 6.5 kg per capita a year, the Germans are among the largest consumers of coffee in Europe.

According to recent researches on the behavior of people, the majority of Germans drinks coffee because it is an energizing drink and because it is tasty. 73% on average, drinks at least one cup of coffee per day. The percentage rises to 87% for the population aged over 46 years while drops to 59% for young people between 18 and 35 years.

There is also a share of “conscientious objectors” totals at the cafe. They are about 6% of the population. The percentage grows to 9% among the young people while it is only 2% among people with at least 46 years of age.

Coffee consumption at home is preferred in the morning for breakfast. Filter coffee and instant coffee are the most consumed beverages in the early hours of the day. The consumption in “coffee bars”  is preferred, instead, during other hours of the day.

People in Germany do not prefer the same type of coffee but  tastes are different according to the areas of the country:

• in big cities, people prefer a strong coffee, often with addition of milk while, in other country areas they prefer long filter coffee or American coffee;

• in the South and in particular in the area of Munich the preferred coffee is a shorter espresso like Italian type;

• in the Berlin area, consumers prefer cappuccino or shorter coffee while in Dusseldorf and Cologne it is drunk mostly a long coffee (filter or American) often with the addition of milk.

In hotels the coffee consumption is shared between instant/filter coffee (used for breakfasts) and espresso (required particularly at other times of the day).

In traditional restaurants, people require espresso or cappuccino while in fast food, “imbiss”, bakeries the consumption is oriented on long or filter coffee.