Per capita coffee consumption

In 2025, per capita coffee consumption in the United States is estimated to reach 9.9 pounds, representing a year-over-year increase of 2.2%. This expansion is attributed to improvements in the domestic economy, including a gradual recovery in consumer confidence, following a period of high inflation in 2023 and 2024. Elevated coffee prices, driven by ongoing inflationary and climate pressures, have moderated growth but have not prevented a rebound.

Over the five years to 2025, per capita coffee consumption has been marked by volatility, declining by an average annualized rate of 1.1%. The consumption of coffee dropped by 2.0% in 2020 as the outbreak of COVID-19 prompted strict social distancing policies, reducing demand for out-of-home purchases at coffee shops and other foodservice venues. A partial recovery occurred in 2021, but elevated coffee prices driven by inflation and supply chain disruptions limited a more robust return to growth. In 2022, improved economic indicators and stabilization in the labor market helped drive an uptick in per capita coffee consumption, as more individuals returned to offices and resumed daily routines involving on-the-go beverage purchases. However, growth was hampered again in 2023 and 2024 as inflation remained high, prompting consumers to pull back on discretionary spending, including coffee, and seek savings. Additionally, extreme weather affected coffee bean crop yields during this period, causing coffee prices to rise more quickly than headline inflation.

During this time, consumers became more accustomed to preparing coffee at home, aided by the rising penetration of single-cup brewing systems; as of 2019, 42.0% of households owned a single-cup brewer, contributing to a shift in coffee consumption patterns. Increased competition among suppliers of coffee beans and coffee machines also provided more options for consumers, although higher input costs constrained affordability for some households. These structural factors have made coffee cheaper and more accessible for consumers, adding to demand, but not enough to counteract declining consumption due to inflation.

Over the entire period, per capita coffee consumption has been influenced by macroeconomic trends, including swings in disposable income, employment growth, and price levels. The normalization of consumer routines post-pandemic played a central role in the rebound in 2025, but generally elevated inflation and persistently high prices for drinks and food products weighed on longer-term expansion.