Coffee in Europe is worth €84.4 billion: a strategic value chain where vending plays a key role

Coffee continues to be one of the most significant value chains in the European economy and one of the flagship products of the out-of-home consumption market. This is highlighted in the new Economic Impact of Coffee in Europe report, published by the European Coffee Federation and prepared by Europe Economics, which analyses the economic, employment and industrial impact of the coffee sector across the European Union.

A value chain driving the European economy

According to the report, coffee generates €191.5 billion in direct output, €84.4 billion in gross value added and approximately 1.5 million full-time equivalent jobs across the EU27.
When indirect and induced effects throughout the value chain are also taken into account, the overall economic impact rises to €494.3 billion in output, €217 billion in value added and 3.8 million jobs.
These figures underline the strategic importance of Europe's coffee economy. In 2025, the European Union imported 2.9 million tonnes of coffee from non-EU countries, with a total value of €18.7 billion.
Italy ranks among Europe's leading coffee hubs, both for imports and processing, reinforcing a long-standing industrial tradition that combines manufacturing expertise, quality, innovation and a strong presence in international markets.

The role of vending in the coffee economy

Within this value chain, vending is playing an increasingly important role.
Automatic vending is far more than a distribution channel: it is a service infrastructure that makes coffee available in workplaces, public spaces, transport hubs, universities, hospitals and many other high-footfall locations. This is where coffee becomes an accessible, everyday experience that is consistently available whenever consumers need it.
The report places particular emphasis on the out-of-home coffee market, covering cafés, foodservice, hospitality, workplaces, vending and other service environments.
Following the downturn experienced during the pandemic, the out-of-home channel has returned to growth, confirming the importance of flexible, convenient consumption occasions that fit today's lifestyles.

Why vending is becoming increasingly strategic

In this context, vending stands out because it responds directly to many of the sector's key developments: proximity, efficiency, digitalisation, product quality, service continuity and the ability to meet increasingly fragmented consumer demand.
Every coffee served through a vending machine combines not only the product itself, but also technology, maintenance, logistics, payment systems, data management and customer interaction.
The value of coffee can therefore no longer be measured solely by production or processing, but by the ability of the entire value chain to deliver an efficient and reliable service. This evolution directly involves the vending industry, which continues to adapt to changing consumer expectations, the widespread adoption of digital payments, growing demand for more sustainable solutions and the transformation of consumption environments.

Within this landscape, Venditalia serves as the international platform dedicated to the vending industry and its entire value chain.

Vending machines, ingredients, products, payment systems, digital technologies, services, logistics and new automated retail solutions all come together at the exhibition, creating a strategic meeting point for understanding market developments and strengthening the role of vending within Europe's broader coffee economy.

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