At FAO headquarters in Rome, coffee moved from the farm to the cup through tastings, brewing demonstrations and stories shared by 13 countries. The gathering marked the first United Nations International Coffee Day, with a focus not just on the drink but on the people whose work and lives depend on it.
The United Nations General Assembly designated 1 October as International Coffee Day on 10 March 2026. The annual observance is meant to raise awareness of coffee’s place in economies and communities, and to encourage action toward a more resilient and sustainable sector. Coffee is one of the world’s most widely consumed drinks and most globally traded farm products, but its supply chain faces growing pressure from changing weather, uncertain markets and unequal incomes.
At the opening ceremony, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said the day celebrated “more than just a drink” and “the human diversity that connects us.” He pointed to the millions of people whose livelihoods depend on coffee and called for investment in sustainable, climate-smart production, improved access to technology and innovation, and better opportunities for smallholder farmers. He also highlighted FAO’s partnership with the International Coffee Organization as part of efforts to support the sector.
The scale is striking: coffee supports up to 25 million farmers worldwide, and smallholder farms are estimated to make up as much as 80 percent of all coffee farms. In 2024, global coffee-bean production topped 11 million tonnes, while worldwide trade was worth more than $34 billion. Brazil and Viet Nam together produced nearly half of the world’s coffee and were its top exporters that year. The European Union and the United States were among the largest importers.
After the ceremony, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Honduras, Indonesia, Italy, Panama, Türkiye and Venezuela presented coffee samples and shared the traditions behind them. Interactive sessions demonstrated ways of preparing and brewing coffee, while FAO’s Food and Agriculture Museum & Network invited visitors to explore the drink’s cultural history and connections across generations. Representatives from Brazil, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Italy also spoke about their countries’ coffee sectors and traditions.
The event drew attention to who has a voice and opportunity across the industry. Women work as coffee growers, processors, business owners, traders and leaders, yet often face barriers to land, credit, technology, services and markets. The observance, held during the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, underscored the need to expand women’s participation and close gender gaps. Its timing alongside the 28th Session of FAO’s Committee on Forestry also highlighted coffee’s links to forests and agroforestry, where trees and crops grow together.
Coffee’s global trade brings income to producing countries and work across the value chain, but the future of that livelihood depends on fairer opportunity and stronger preparation for climate risks. The Rome gathering offered a place for producers, governments and partners to share traditions and discuss practical cooperation. Its message was clear: a more resilient coffee sector must be built with the people behind every cup, especially small-scale farmers and women, at its center.