The ICO estimates that 92 m. 60 kg bags of coffee, with a total value of US$ 11 b. were exported from origin in 2006. This shows that the value of coffee trade has fallen from a peak of US$12.9 b. in 1997 but recovered from the low point US$ 5.1 b. in 2002. Coffee is usually the world’s second most valuable traded commodity, after petroleum.

Coffee is even more important as a source of foreign exchange and employment for some of the world's poorest countries. It accounts for 60% of the total value of commodity exports in Burundi, and for 35-40% in countries such as Ethiopia and Rwanda. It still consistently counts for over 10% of commodity earnings in comparatively rich countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

It has been estimated that between 20-25 m. people around the world are dependent on coffee for their livelihood.