Estimated studying time: 7 minutes

Key takeaways

• Thailand’s espresso market is now value 65 billion Thai baht.
• Consumption has practically doubled, from 180 to over 340 cups per individual.
• Nearly half of Thai individuals drink espresso every day.
• A lot of the nation’s arabica provides home demand, supporting the expansion of specialty espresso consumption.

Thailand at the moment ranks because the world’s Twentieth-largest espresso producer, down from the highest 15 a decade in the past. The nation grows primarily robusta, although arabica manufacturing is rising, highlighting a sharper give attention to high quality.

Home demand constantly outpaces the nation’s provide, which is why the vast majority of Thailand’s speciality espresso stays throughout the nation. However Thai ingesting habits weren’t all the time coffee-centric. For a lot of the nation’s historical past, individuals consumed natural drinks, then tea, earlier than espresso entered the image.

“In Thailand, individuals historically consumed natural drinks for various functions,” says Jane Kawinnart Veraworawet, co-founder of Fika & Co. and a two-time Thai Barista Champion. “Bael fruit tea was used to chill the physique, and gotu kola juice was believed to assist cut back irritation.

“In a while, influences from China and neighbouring international locations launched tea into Thai tradition, and tea ingesting turned extra widespread,” she provides. “After that, espresso tradition began to emerge, particularly by way of conventional avenue espresso carts. That’s basically how espresso tradition started in Thailand.”

You may additionally like our article on how Indonesia’s specialty espresso market is prospering.

A historical past of espresso in Thailand

Though arabica crops had been first launched to the nation in 1849, Thailand’s shift to industrial espresso manufacturing was far more latest. Within the Seventies, King Bhumibol Adulyadej launched a undertaking to offer farmers a viable different to opium cultivation, and by 1976, the nation had begun exporting espresso. Inside just a few a long time, Thailand had grown right into a prime 20 coffee-producing nation.

Whereas the nation grows largely robusta, there was a latest shift in the direction of arabica. Most of Thailand’s high-quality arabica comes from the northern areas of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, with Chumphon and Surat Thani within the south additionally contributing important volumes.

Farmers work with varieties corresponding to Typica, Catuai, Bourbon, and native cross-varietals, typically shade-grown or intercropped to help yields and high quality. Processing strategies vary from washed and pure to anaerobic and yeast fermentation.

The nation’s first Cup of Excellence competitors and public sale additionally happened in 2022, with the highest-scoring lot reaching 91.13 factors and a prime bid of US$73.30. By the 2025 CoE competitors, the highest 15 coffees had scored 88 factors or above, a transparent signal of sustained high quality throughout the nation’s farms.

Rising consumption means retaining worth

Restricted manufacturing volumes, export constraints, and a maturing home market imply most specialty-grade espresso stays inside Thailand. In keeping with the nation’s Ministry of Commerce, espresso consumption has considerably elevated, from a median of 180 cups per individual per yr to over 340 cups, with the home market worth hovering to 65 billion Thai baht in 2025.

“Because the native market matures, extra roasters and shoppers are prepared to pay premium costs for high-quality Thai beans, making it much less essential for producers to export,” explains Kittipop Eangchoun, the 2025 Thai Barista Champion. “Farmers typically prioritise steady relationships with native consumers who supply constant pricing and direct collaboration, quite than navigating the complexities of worldwide export markets.”

Regardless of the constraints, worldwide roasters handle to supply Thai espresso. UK roasters corresponding to Climpson and Sons and Ozone Espresso have constructed private relationships with farmers and exporters through the years. This Aspect Up Espresso, a dealer that has labored with Chiang Rai’s Beanspire Espresso since 2016, has additionally constantly introduced Thai speciality espresso to European consumers over the past decade.

Café tradition explodes in Thailand

As in different Southeast Asian markets, each native and worldwide café chains opened in Thailand through the Nineteen Nineties. Starbucks arrived in 1998, and with it got here a pointy rise in each comfort and value: a cup of espresso value roughly 3 times as a lot as earlier than. 

At this time, chains like Café Amazon, All Café, and 7-Eleven are widespread amongst shoppers, whereas native manufacturers together with Punthai, Inthanin, True Espresso, Black Canyon, and Chao Doi additionally maintain sturdy loyalty amongst Thai shoppers.

YouGov analysis discovered that just about half of Thai individuals drink espresso every day, however tourism has additionally formed the nation’s specialty espresso market. “Worldwide guests deliver numerous expectations and publicity to international espresso requirements,” Kittipop explains. “This has inspired native cafés and roasters to raise high quality, enhance service, and experiment with new ideas. 

“Cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket have grow to be hubs for specialty espresso the place cafés typically function cultural areas that replicate each native identification and international tendencies.”

The truth that most Thai espresso stays throughout the nation has additionally created a robust inner ecosystem, fuelling the consumption of specialty espresso. “Roasters, cafés, and shoppers are all carefully related to producers, which fosters transparency and storytelling,” Kittipop says. “This native focus permits for higher suggestions loops between farmers and baristas, serving to enhance high quality over time.”

Honouring native flavours

Thailand’s espresso market now spans neighbourhood cafés to high-end specialty bars. Worldwide influences are evident, however native flavours, elements, and culture-specific drinks stay real priorities for espresso companies. 

“As soon as espresso tradition began in Thailand, we progressively tailored and developed our personal kinds and menus,” Jane explains. “One well-known instance is Es Yen, Thai-style iced espresso, which is powerful, candy, and creamy in comparison with different espresso drinks.”

Thailand’s scorching local weather has additionally pushed chilly and ready-to-drink espresso into the mainstream, however café tradition stays the central pressure behind the market’s development. “Many shoppers nonetheless choose going to cafés to discover new espresso experiences, whether or not it’s visiting their favorite retailers or making an attempt newly opened ones,” says Jane. “Persons are more and more fascinated by discovering completely different flavours and brewing strategies.”

What’s subsequent?

Thailand’s specialty espresso market reveals no signal of slowing. Authorities information reviews that 415 new coffee-related companies had been registered between January and June 2025, marking an 8.92% year-on-year enhance. All had been categorised as small enterprises, with over 33% based mostly in Bangkok, reflecting the town’s standing as a significant espresso hub. 

Occasions corresponding to WoC Bangkok, Thailand Espresso Fest, and THAIFEX HOREC Asia are additionally drawing extra consideration to the area. Thai espresso manufacturers are increasing internationally too, partly as a result of Southeast Asian delicacies has constructed a fame for distinctive flavour profiles in international markets.

On the farm stage, in the meantime, the extent of innovation is obvious. “Over the previous decade, there was a transparent shift amongst Thai espresso farmers towards producing specialty-grade espresso,” says Kittipop. “Many producers are investing in higher processing strategies, experimenting with fermentation strategies, and specializing in varieties that may obtain greater cup scores.”

Addressing local weather adjustments

Jane agrees and factors to the final three to 5 years as a interval of great change. Farmers are putting far better emphasis on high quality, although local weather change is creating actual strain.

“New options are being developed to handle these challenges. There’s rising collaboration with the federal government to enhance espresso varieties that may carry out nicely below the precise circumstances of every rising area in Thailand,” she says.

“Lately, I visited a espresso farm, the place they had been experimenting with the Batian selection. It confirmed promising outcomes by way of greater yield,” she provides. “There are additionally new varieties being explored, corresponding to Syrina, which provide each good productiveness and fascinating flavour profiles.”

Thai specialty espresso is flourishing, taking maintain in cities all through the nation. With the booming native market, continued worldwide curiosity and progressive espresso producers, the longer term appears sturdy for the nation’s espresso market.

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Picture credit: Fika & Co.

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