Green coffee imports for local roasting have grown more than ninefold since 2015
120 tonnes — that is how much green, unroasted coffee Moldova imported in the 12 months to June 2026, compared with 13 tonnes in 2015.
The beans are brought in for roasting at local facilities, and a new branch of the food industry is taking shape. The figures come from an analysis by economist Veaceslav Ioniță. Growth picked up from 2020: from 11–25 tonnes a year in 2015–2019 to 53 tonnes in 2020 and 115 tonnes in 2025. In the first half of 2026, imports reached 65 tonnes, a record for the first six months.
In 2025, 63.7% of green coffee came from Ethiopia, followed by Brazil (16.1%) and Colombia (4.8%). Overall, Moldova imports more than 2,000 tonnes of coffee a year, and the average resident drinks about 180 cups annually. Locally roasted coffee still accounts for roughly 4.5–5% of coffee beans consumed. According to the economist, some local brands already sell in Romania, and specialty coffee could eventually reach about 20% of consumption — a scenario, not a guaranteed forecast.
What it means for you
- Cafés and shops can source from local roasters — fresher coffee and faster delivery than imports.
- Demand is also growing for related services: packaging, distribution, professional equipment and barista training.
- Roasters with steady volumes may look at exports, starting with Romania.
Source: Bani.md, 19 October 2026