Asian coffee demand up, says German research

Asian coffee demand up, says German research

HAMBURG (Reuter): Weak coffee demand in Asia was getting fresh impetus from instant coffee products and canned coffee drinks, German coffee association DKV said yesterday.

Growth in cold coffee drinks was seen in Japan, South Korea and Thailand, according to information received by the association and published in its quarterly report.

Sales of soluble coffee products were seen rising on the marketing of multinational companies.

"Per-capita consumption is still very low but on the increase," DKV said, but it could not offer forecasts.

Consumption in China with 1.25 billion inhabitants was dormant but instant coffees were being introduced and roasted coffee was now produced in Shanghai, DKV said.

China is a net exporter of coffee from southern provinces.

Asian countries produce 18-20 percent of the world coffee crop, mostly robustas from Indonesia, Vietnam, India and Thailand, but they account for just 10 percent of coffee consumption.

Japan leads annual per-capita consumption in the region with 3.11 kg but Germany's comparable figure is 6.9 kg.