Colombian coffee is making significant inroads into China’s burgeoning specialty coffee market, driven by increasing demand and a growing appreciation for high-quality Arabica beans. Sebastian Ortiz, a renowned Colombian barista and roaster known as ‘Bozo,’ has observed a notable shift in the industry, with China emerging as a key destination for Colombia’s premium coffee exports. This trend is supported by one of the best coffee crops in recent years, which has boosted production and export volumes. China, which ranked as Colombia’s 18th export destination in 2019, surged to become the sixth-largest by 2023, importing approximately 540,000 60-kilogram bags. In the first quarter of 2024, China climbed to the second-largest importer of Colombian coffee, reflecting its rapidly expanding market. According to a report by iiMedia, China’s coffee imports grew by 130,800 tons between 2020 and 2024, a 6.5-fold increase, with the market projected to reach 1 trillion yuan ($141 billion) this year. Domestic coffee chains like Luckin Coffee and Cotti have played a pivotal role in this growth, competing with global giants like Starbucks. Ortiz attributes this success to China’s vast population and its openness to new coffee customs, particularly the preference for softer, nuanced flavors found in Colombian Arabica beans. Chinese consumers favor medium or light roasts, which highlight delicate floral notes rather than intense flavors. Juan Esteban Cardona Yepes, commercial director of Mantagro, a coffee producer and exporter, noted that China’s demand is primarily for green coffee beans, which are locally roasted by coffee chains. Additionally, the trade relationship between Colombia and China has expanded beyond coffee, with affordable brewing equipment from China gaining popularity among both professionals and home brewers. Colombia, the world’s third-largest coffee producer, is experiencing a strong production year, with output rising 17% to 14.87 million 60-kg bags between October 2024 and September 2025, driven by favorable weather and crop renovation. Export values have also surged, fueled by high international prices and robust demand from China. Ortiz emphasized the growing importance of China’s specialty coffee market, attracting increasing interest from Asian buyers.