China's coffee exports to the US surge, causing the White House to gasp in alarm: "This is a big problem."
In April 2025, China experienced a single-month surge in coffee exports to the US, with a nearly 20-fold increase compared to the previous month, setting a three-year high. The primary reason was that traditional coffee-producing countries such as Brazil and Vietnam suffered reduced output due to extreme weather conditions, leading to a continuous rise in international coffee bean futures prices. For instance, the price of Arabica coffee beans increased by nearly 70% in 2024, and at the beginning of 2025, it even reached a 47-year high.
Due to the rising international prices, Chinese coffee beans became more competitive, and through technological improvements, the quality of coffee beans also saw enhancements. For example, the price of first-grade raw coffee beans from Yunnan rose from 32 yuan/kg in 2024 to 60 yuan/kg, but remained lower than the high international prices, attracting purchases from overseas buyers such as the US. The White House is now worried that if the US becomes accustomed to importing coffee from China, it could have significant impacts on its foodservice industry. Currently, the US imports mainly electronics, machinery equipment, toys, and clothing from China.
If American cafes also rely on ingredients imported from China, then this will indeed be a major issue. The US is a major agricultural exporter; if it were to become dependent on Chinese agricultural products in the future, how would that sit with them? Although the US still holds significant advantages in agriculture, such as vast plains and highly efficient mechanized equipment, don't forget that technology can change all of this. Once China forms an export advantage in agriculture for the US market, what will remain for the US?
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833256666000451/
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