Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world and the journey that coffee beans take from farms to homes is fascinating and complex. Transporting coffee beans involves several steps, from harvesting to packaging to shipping and delivery. In this blog post, we take a detailed look at this process and the challenges that must be overcome along the way.
The harvest
The journey of coffee begins with the harvest, which is mostly done manually, especially in mountainous regions where machines cannot be used. This ensures that only the ripest cherries are picked, which is crucial for the quality of the final product. The beans in the cherries are then processed using either dry (Natural) or wet (Washed) methods, which influences their further transport and storage capacity. The choice of method often depends on climatic conditions and available resources.
Packaging and storage
After processing, the beans must be carefully packaged to protect them from moisture and contamination. Typically, the beans are packed in bags made of jute or other breathable materials, each of which can hold up to 60 kilograms of coffee. These bags are not only environmentally friendly, but also ideal for storage and transport, as they allow for adequate ventilation and thus prevent the formation of mold.
The packaged beans are then often placed in warehouses where they await shipment. These warehouses are usually located near ports to facilitate transportation and protect the beans from unnecessary stress.
The transport
Coffee is mainly transported by sea as it is the most cost-effective method for international shipping. The containers in which the bags of coffee are shipped must be well ventilated to avoid the formation of condensation that could damage the beans. Temperature fluctuations and humidity are the biggest challenges during transportation as they can affect the quality of the coffee.
It is noteworthy that transporting coffee by ship is not only more economical but also more environmentally friendly than transporting it by air. A container ship can transport thousands of tons of coffee, which significantly reduces the carbon footprint per ton.
Arrival in the destination country
After arriving in the destination country, the beans often undergo a quality control before being transported to the roasters. These checks are crucial to ensure that only the best beans are processed. Once at the roasters, the beans are roasted, ground and finally packaged, either as whole beans or ground coffee powder.
Distribution to retailers and cafes
The final step in coffee transport is distribution to supermarkets, cafés and end consumers. This is where logistics plays a crucial role in maintaining the freshness and quality of the coffee until it reaches the consumer. A well-coordinated supply chain is essential to ensure that the coffee arrives in the best condition.
Challenges in coffee transport
Climatic influences
As mentioned above, temperature fluctuations and humidity can damage coffee during transport. This requires special storage and transport conditions to preserve the quality of the coffee. Modern container ships and warehouses are equipped with technologies that can control temperature and humidity.
Logistical efficiency
Coordinating the numerous steps from harvest to consumer requires precise logistics and time management. Each step in the process must be carefully planned and monitored to avoid delays and loss of quality. This requires close cooperation between farmers, processors, transporters and traders.
sustainability
In light of global climate change, reducing the carbon footprint of coffee transportation is becoming increasingly important. This includes using more environmentally friendly transportation methods and packaging. Many companies are now adopting sustainable practices, such as using carbon-compensated transportation and recyclable packaging.
How does coffee get from the country where it is grown to Germany?
The journey of coffee from the country of cultivation to Germany is a fascinating process that involves several transport and logistics steps. Here are the most important stages of this journey:
1. Harvesting and processing
The journey begins in the coffee-growing countries, which are mainly located in the tropical zones around the equator, such as Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia and Ethiopia. After harvesting, the coffee beans are processed using either dry (natural) or wet (washed) methods. This step is crucial as it significantly influences the quality and taste of the coffee.
2. Drying and sorting
After processing, the coffee beans are dried, either in the sun or by machine. They are then sorted and cleaned, often both by hand and by machine, to ensure consistent quality.
3. Packaging
The sorted and dried beans are packed in large bags, usually made of jute or other breathable materials. This packaging helps protect the beans from moisture and contamination during transport.
4. Export
The packaged coffee beans are then loaded into containers and usually exported via sea freight. For transport to Germany, they are usually shipped to ports such as Hamburg or Bremerhaven, which are among the largest entry points for coffee in Europe.
5. Import and customs clearance
When they arrive in Germany, the coffee beans have to go through customs. Here they are checked for quality and safety and all necessary import formalities are clarified.
6. Transport to roasteries
After customs clearance, the beans are distributed to various roasting and processing plants in Germany. This transport is usually done by truck.
7. Roasting and packaging
In the roasteries, the raw coffee beans are then roasted according to the desired taste and roast profile. After roasting, the beans are packaged either whole or ground and are ready for sale.
8. Distribution
From the roasters, the coffee goes to supermarkets, cafes and other retail stores or is sold directly to consumers online.
Challenges of importing coffee to Germany
Logistical efficiency
Coordinating the supply chain across long distances must be done efficiently to preserve the freshness and quality of the coffee. This requires careful planning and the use of modern logistics technologies.
Environmental impact
Transport, especially sea freight, has a significant environmental impact. Many companies are looking for ways to minimize this, for example by purchasing CO2 certificates or using more environmentally friendly transport methods.
Quality control
Maintaining quality assurance across so many steps is a constant challenge. Every stage of transportation and processing must be monitored to ensure the beans remain in perfect condition.
The most important ports for the coffee trade
The largest and most important ports for the coffee trade are spread all over the world. Here are some of the most important ports that handle particularly large quantities of coffee:
1. Port of Santos, Brazil
The Port of Santos is the largest port in Latin America and plays a central role in the global coffee trade. Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world and much of its exports pass through Santos. The port has specialized facilities for storing and processing coffee.
2. Port of Hamburg, Germany
The Port of Hamburg is one of the largest ports in Europe and the most important coffee import port in Germany. It serves as a central transshipment point for coffee, which is then distributed to the numerous roasting plants in Germany and other European countries.
3. Port of Antwerp, Belgium
The Port of Antwerp is another important hub in the European coffee trade. It has excellent coffee storage and processing facilities and serves many of the largest coffee importers and roasters in Europe.
4. Port of New York, USA
The port of New York is one of the largest entry points for coffee into the USA. Together with New Jersey, it forms an important center for the coffee trade in North America. The extensive storage facilities and good transport links make it an important distribution center.
5. Port of New Orleans, USA
New Orleans plays an important role in the United States' coffee imports due to its historical role and location. It has specialized warehouses and processing facilities geared towards the handling of coffee.
6. Port of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer in the world, and the port of Ho Chi Minh City is central to the export of Vietnamese coffee. The port has modern facilities and growing capacity to handle the increasing export demand.
7. Port of Genoa, Italy
Genoa is an important port for coffee imports in Italy and serves as a gateway for coffee going to the many famous Italian roasters and on to other parts of Europe.
Why is coffee transported by ship and not by air?
Transporting coffee by sea rather than air is the preferred method, mainly for economic and logistical reasons. Here are some key factors that play a role:
1. Costs
Shipping by sea is significantly more cost-effective than air freight, especially for large quantities. Coffee is typically traded and exported in large volumes, making sea freight the more economically viable option. Air freight is significantly more expensive due to higher energy costs and limited space on aircraft.
2. Environmental impact
Although sea freight still generates significant emissions, it has a lower carbon footprint per tonne and kilometer compared to air freight. For companies looking to reduce their environmental impact, shipping is therefore the more environmentally friendly choice.
3. Capacity and volume
Ships can carry very large amounts of cargo at once, making them ideal for bulk commodities such as coffee. A single container ship can carry thousands of containers, while aircraft can only carry a limited amount due to their size and weight restrictions.
4. Shelf life and storage conditions
Coffee is a perishable commodity, but its shelf life allows for slower transport by sea. Modern cargo ships are well equipped to store coffee under appropriate conditions, including temperature and humidity control, which is essential to maintain the quality of the coffee during transport.
5. Less rush for delivery
Unlike more perishable products such as fresh flowers or food, which spoil quickly and are therefore often shipped by air freight, coffee does not require immediate delivery. This allows the use of slower but more cost-effective transport methods such as sea freight.
6. Economies of scale
The large volume of coffee traded globally means that economies of scale can be used to further reduce the cost per unit. Large shipping shipments significantly reduce the cost per kilogram of coffee.
7. Economic efficiency
For coffee importers and roasters, minimizing transportation costs is an essential part of cost efficiency. Lower transportation costs help lower the final price for consumers and increase competitiveness in the market.
In summary, shipping coffee is the preferred mode for economic reasons, economies of scale, environmental impact and suitability for less urgent deliveries. Air freight remains an option for special, high-value coffees or when rapid delivery is essential, but not for general trade.
Coffee transport: Our conclusion
The journey of coffee from bean to cup is long and complex. Every step in the process is crucial to the quality of the final product that millions of people enjoy every day. With an increased focus on sustainability and quality assurance, this process is continuously being improved to offer coffee lovers around the world the best possible product.
Would you like to learn more about the fascinating world of coffee? Then visit us at our roastery and café in Hamburg to experience the variety and quality of our coffee first hand.