Survey: U.S. coffee drinking reaches highest level in decade

Nation's Restaurant News, July 1, 2002

NEW YORK -- Coffee consumption in this country has reached its highest level in a decade, according to the National Coffee Association's 2002 National Coffee Drinking Trends.

More than 77 percent of all adults over 18 -- or 161 million people -- drink coffee on a daily or occasional basis, the study reported. That reflects an increase of 1.2 million people in the number of daily coffee drinkers over last year's total. The study also found that the number of weekly coffee drinkers increased by 9.5 million in 2002, as compared with 2001.

"More than half -- 52 percent -- of the adult population is consuming coffee every day, totaling 108.9 million daily drinkers," said Robert Nelson, president and chief executive of the National Coffee Association of U.S.A. "Another 25 percent of the adult population, or 52 million people, chose to drink coffee on an occasional basis."

The hike in consumption translates to a record level of 18.5 million bags of coffee roasted in 2001 -- the largest amount in a decade, Nelson added.

Gourmet coffees also maintained their growth in popularity. Over the past five years the number of people drinking gourmet coffees rose from 7 million to 27 million.

Coffee consumption at breakfast also continues to rise, the study indicated. According to the NCA, 65 percent of the coffee consumed in the United States in 2002 was consumed at breakfast--rising from 58 percent in 1999.

"The recession hasn't affected the industry's renewed focus on quality, which is a great market multiplier when you combine it with these other factors," Nelson said. "I am confident that, if the industry continues to deliver on this, we will no doubt enjoy this coffee renaissance for years to come."

The survey is based on telephone interviews with 2,950 people 18 years and older.