Introduction – Current State of Play: The Coffee Bean Sector in Thailand
Thailand’s coffee bean market is in the midst of a major transformation. As of mid-2025, the country is grappling with a series of developments that are reshaping how coffee is grown, traded, and consumed. From intense competition among local coffee chains to critical supply chain issues and even legal disputes, the Thai coffee sphere looks very different from just a year ago.
Let’s break it down.
In May 2025, Café Amazon, backed by PTT Oil, continues to dominate the market. But it’s facing stiff competition from PTG Energy’s PunThai Coffee, which is expanding aggressively across Thailand. These petrol station giants are now battling it out in the coffee world, turning every gas stop into a café pitstop.
Meanwhile, Thailand is importing a whopping 80,000 tonnes of coffee beans in 2025. Why? Local production is down, even though more land is being used to grow coffee. Climate change, yield issues, and legal battles—like the Nestlé-QCP feud—are shaking things up.
Add to that the growing popularity of RTD (ready-to-drink) coffee, swelling consumer demand, and price hikes on instant brews, and it’s clear: this market is moving fast, and businesses need to keep up.
Platforms like Freshdi are proving essential for navigating this fast-evolving space. With supplier verifications, RFQ trend alerts, and real-time sourcing insights, Freshdi helps businesses stay a step ahead.
Deep Dive – What’s Making Headlines? Key Recent News & Impacts
Booming Demand and Changing Habits
Coffee is no longer just a morning ritual in Thailand—it’s a lifestyle. Between 2021 and 2023, the Thai coffee market grew by an average of 8.55% annually, reaching 34.5 billion baht by the end of 2023. Instant coffee still rules the market, making up 84% of sales, but fresh coffee is slowly gaining ground.
What’s fueling this boom? A younger population that loves convenience, the rise of iced coffee culture (thanks to Thailand’s hot climate), and lifestyle chains making coffee accessible at every corner.
Production Woes and Heavy Imports
Despite the growing demand, coffee production is shrinking. In 2023, Thailand produced just 15,651 tonnes—down more than 16,000 tonnes from the previous year. The math doesn’t add up when consumption is pushing 95,500 tonnes annually.
As a result, Thailand is importing 80,000 tonnes in 2025. That’s a massive jump and a clear sign that local supply isn’t keeping up.
Legal Disruptions: The Nestlé-QCP Saga
March 2025 brought a legal bombshell: Nestlé was barred from producing or distributing NESCAFÉ in Thailand following a court ruling tied to its contract dispute with QCP. Since Nestlé buys half of Thailand’s robusta beans, this has massive ripple effects—especially for farmers and small suppliers.
RTD Coffee Is the New Cool
The ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee segment is on fire. It’s expected to grow from $779.5 million in 2024 to $1.2 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 7.5%. Low-sugar, functional beverages are trending, especially among urban, health-conscious consumers.
Sustainability and Specialty Coffee on the Rise
NESCAFÉ’s Plan 2030 is pushing regenerative agriculture in Thailand, and the specialty coffee sector is growing by at least 25% per year. Specialty coffee now commands a market value of around 2 billion baht annually and is attracting serious attention from global buyers.
Top 9 Verified Coffee Bean Suppliers in Thailand – Adapting to Today’s Market
In light of these changes, here are the top 9 verified coffee bean suppliers in Thailand for Week 02 of 2025. These businesses stand out based on performance, certifications, buyer reviews, and activity on Freshdi.
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B.S.M TRADING COMPANY LIMITED
Specializes in green and roasted beans with strong export credentials and traceable sourcing practices. -
BBN Thailand Trading
Known for consistent Robusta and Arabica supply, well-reviewed for reliability and packaging. -
Coffee Roasting Limited Partnership
Offers custom-roasted blends for specialty retailers and cafes, with strong domestic distribution. -
SUNISA KANKA
Focuses on premium Thai single-origin beans, particularly from Chiang Rai and Nan provinces. -
DC Centralize (Thailand) Co.,Ltd.
Supplies both green and roasted beans, with verified trade certifications and B2B logistics support. -
Worldwide TnT Ventures Limited
Offers a wide variety of beans and custom contracts for international buyers. -
Yoohong Business Syndicate Co., Ltd.
Strong in organic bean sourcing, with a growing reputation in the specialty coffee scene. -
SUPANSA TRADER CO.,LTD
High-volume supplier with robust infrastructure, ideal for large-scale buyers. -
Baba Thai Group
Known for flexible MOQs and reliable shipping schedules.
Dynamic Ranking Note: Supplier rankings on platforms like Freshdi may fluctuate weekly or quarterly based on RFQ activity, buyer feedback, and fulfillment performance. Always check for “Suppliers of the Month” to catch emerging leaders.
Market Navigation – Strategic Responses to The Prevailing Coffee Bean Landscape in Thailand
Opportunities for Buyers
If you’re sourcing coffee beans from Thailand, there are definite silver linings:
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Specialty Coffee is Booming: Regions like Chiang Mai and Tak are producing high-grade Arabica beans that are getting international buzz. This niche is growing fast and commands premium prices.
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Export Momentum: Thai coffee exports surged 15.6% in 2023. There’s global interest in Thai beans, especially for their unique flavor profiles.
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Retail Chain Growth: Café Amazon, PunThai, and international players like The Coffee Club are expanding. These retail growth stories signal long-term demand.
Risks to Watch Out For
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Supply Instability: Even though plantation areas are expanding, actual yields are dropping. Production fell by over 16,000 tonnes in 2023. Imported beans are filling the gap, but that means exposure to global pricing and logistics issues.
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Legal Tensions: When a giant like Nestlé faces a production halt, it disrupts everything from farmer incomes to supermarket shelves. Stay alert to such developments.
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Price Volatility: Arabica prices could rise another 10–15% in 2025 due to tight supply and growing specialty demand.
Smart Sourcing Strategies
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Diversify Origins: Mix Thai beans with imports from Vietnam or Brazil to manage costs and mitigate risk.
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Partner Direct with Farmers: Vertical integration or direct trade helps secure supply and boost traceability.
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Go Certified: Buyers are seeking Rainforest Alliance or Fair Trade beans more than ever. These beans also open doors to premium markets.
Short-Term Outlook
Expect continued price hikes, more imports, and aggressive expansion by major chains. But also expect more innovation, sustainability initiatives, and diversification in product offerings.
With this much volatility, having real-time insights from platforms like Freshdi can be your competitive edge.
Conclusion – Key Takeaways for Businesses in a Dynamic Market
Thailand’s coffee bean market is a blend of opportunity and challenge. On one hand, demand is booming, both domestically and internationally. On the other, supply chain cracks are widening, production is falling, and legal battles are shaking the foundations of major players.
To navigate this, businesses need to be proactive, agile, and well-informed.
✅ Checklist for Coffee Bean Buyers in 2025
- 🔍 Monitor weekly RFQ trends on platforms like Freshdi
- 📦 Diversify sourcing—don’t rely on a single origin
- 📈 Factor in projected price increases into contracts
- 🌱 Prioritize sustainability and certifications
- 🤝 Build direct relationships with Thai suppliers
- 📊 Track legal and weather-related risks that could disrupt supply
💡 How Freshdi Empowers Buyers
Freshdi isn’t just another B2B platform. It provides:
- 📈 Real-time price and RFQ trend monitoring
- ✅ Verified supplier profiles with performance metrics
- 🔔 Alerts on major market disruptions or legal events
- 🤝 Direct access to high-performing suppliers week by week
- 🧠 Market intelligence tailored to your sourcing strategy
References
- Coffee Market Growth – Bangkok Post
- Thailand Coffee Imports – Nation Thailand
- RTD Coffee Market in Thailand – StrategyH
- NESCAFÉ Plan 2030 – The Story Thailand
- Specialty Coffee Sector Growth – Bangkok Post
- Coffee Club Investment – World Coffee Portal
- Thailand Instant Coffee Market – Research and Markets
- Coffee Supply Chain Legal Dispute – Kaohoon International
- Global Coffee Prices – Thai Times
FAQs
1. Why is Thailand importing so much coffee in 2025?
Due to a sharp drop in domestic production—over 16,000 tonnes less than the previous year—Thailand is importing 80,000 tonnes of coffee beans to meet demand.
2. Which coffee bean types are popular in Thailand?
Robusta dominates the instant coffee market, while Arabica is gaining traction in specialty and premium segments, especially from northern provinces like Chiang Mai.
3. How are legal issues affecting the Thai coffee market?
A major dispute between Nestlé and QCP has halted NESCAFÉ production, impacting farmers, retailers, and supply chains nationwide.
4. What are the best regions in Thailand for sourcing specialty coffee?
Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Nan are known for high-quality Arabica beans, often grown at high altitudes and organically farmed.
5. How can Freshdi help my business source coffee beans from Thailand?
Freshdi offers supplier verification, real-time RFQ insights, dynamic rankings, and alerts on market shifts to help you make data-driven sourcing decisions.