Soluble coffee
Technical and Marketing Opportunities and Constraints for Origin Producers

This survey investigates the technical, economic and market constraints facing origin producers (located in coffee-growing countries) of soluble (instant) coffee whether for the local, the regional or the international export markets. It assesses the competitive position of the present set of major producers and potential new producers, particularly in the market conditions, which followed the breakdown of the International Coffee Agreement (ICA) in July 1989. The study concludes that there are limited opportunities for new producers, principally because of competition from established suppliers in both developed and developing countries. Difficulties are compounded by rapidly changing market trends including the move towards higher value freeze-dried, agglomerated and decaffeinated products.