Global demand for coffee could increase by almost 25 percent in the next 5 years

The global demand for coffee beans is increasing as countries westernize

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published 17 February 2015

Good news for java lovers: You'll soon be in good company in more places across the globe.

As demand for coffee beans increases in China, India, and Latin America, demand for coffee could increase by nearly 25 percent in the next five years, according to predictions from the International Coffee Organization (ICO). By 2020, coffee demand is expected to rise to 175.8 million 132-pound bags of beans, up from 141.6 million bags now.

The demand comes during a time of reduced global coffee supplies, thanks to a historic drought and currency fluctuations in Brazil. Global coffee production is expected to drop to 141 million bags this year, from 146.7 million bags last year, thanks to the drought and a plant fungus in Central America. Silva added that "the world cannot afford to keep looking only at Brazil" for the production of coffee beans.