A large number of global coffee brands are looking to gain a foothold in China due to the country's huge market potential and consumers' growing interest in coffee products.

According to data released by International Coffee Organization, China has a coffee market that is expected to reach 1 trillion yuan ($154.14 billion) by 2025. The country is also expected to overtake the United States as the largest coffee buyer in the world within the next 10 years.

Coffee drinkers in China are thirsty for a variety of quality coffee products and eager to try niche brands or different brewing methods.

As a bridge that connects the Chinese consumer market and overseas suppliers, the China International Import Expo has seen active participation of coffee brands from countries such as Italy, Mexico, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Jamaica.

Many brands have become popular among Chinese consumers after the expo. Esseqaro, an Ethiopian coffee brand, distributed 6,000 cups of coffee to visitors and sold 1,200 bags of coffee beans during the third CIIE last year, an indication that the expo has brought great benefits to coffee suppliers, said Shen Hua, director of Esseqaro.

The expo has also helped attract many coffee dealers and supermarkets that have intentions to cooperate, said Samuel Maldonado, president of the Mexican Confederation Chamber of Commerce Asia-Pacific. He added that Mexican coffee companies are planning to set up businesses in China if their products sell well.

Sales of commercial coffee machines have also been growing as Chinese consumers have a large appetite for high-quality coffee. De'Longhi, an Italian appliance manufacturer, debuted its all-in-one coffee machine that is designed for Chinese market at the third CIIE.

Source: Xinmin Evening News, Xinhua, Jiefang Daily, China Daily