The ICO estimates that 98.5 m. 60 kg bags of coffee, with a total value of US$ 14.3 b. were exported from origin in the year to Jul 09.

This shows that the value of coffee trade has recovered from the low point of US$ 5.1 b. in 2002. Coffee is usually the world's second most valuable internationally-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 about 70% of the total value of commodity exports in Burundi, and for over 20% in countries such as Ethiopia, Rwanda and Honduras. It still consistently counts for about 10-20% of commodity earnings in comparatively rich countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

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