The coffee is an economic mainstay for dozens of countries and about 25 million people. Among natural commodities, only oil has a greater monetary value.

There are two main coffee trees:
1. Arabica which produces better beans and accounts for 70% of the harvest
2. Robusta which produces less quality beans and accounts for 30% of production

Top producers Y97-98 / in kilos Beans 1. Brazil 1'350'000'000 Bahia, bourbon santos 2. Colombia 630'000'000 Medellin, supremo, bogotá 3. Indonesia 402'000'000 Java, sumatra, sulawesi 4. Vietnam 348'000'000 Robusta 5. Mexico 300'000'000 Altura, pluma, coixtepec, Liquidambar 6. Ethiopia 228'000'000 Harrar, Sidamo, Yirgacheffe 7. India 228'000'000 Mysore, Monsooned Malabar 8. Guatemala 210'000'000 Atitlan, Huehuetenango 9. Côte d'ivoire 198'000'000 Robusta 10. Uganda 180'000'000 Bugisu