Coffee - 1
Coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world (after crude oil). High global demand is one of the reasons coffee prices reached a record high last month, reaching $4.41 per pound, more than double the 2024 price. This price spike was also due to shortfalls in production, increased labour costs and supply chain disruption.
It’s hard to predict how the volatility of coffee prices will affect the UK’s taste for coffee. In recent years the UK speciality coffee market has shown significant growth, and it’s a sector that shows no sign of slowing down. A recent Mintel report estimates that by 2028, the UK’s spending on coffee could hit over £2.17 billion.
The Importance of Protective Packaging for Coffee
Coffee is a valuable commodity, but it’s also perishable, and can quickly lose its flavour and aroma if it’s not stored correctly. For the UK’s coffee roasters and wholesalers packaging protects their investment and their reputation. Coffee packaging needs to provide a barrier against the three enemies of flavour; light, moisture and air, and it must also be certified as food grade.
Light-proof
The ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause coffee molecules to degrade, and lose moisture, which impacts aroma and flavour. Opaque containers protect the coffee from sunlight damage. Black plastic tubs, metal containers or foil pouches, are all good options for storing coffee because they are light proof.
Moisture-proof
Dried goods and water don’t mix. Moisture can quickly affect the quality of the coffee. Damp coffee loses flavour, clumps, turns stale and can grow mould. The best coffee containers are waterproof and water tight. This ensures the coffee beans or ground coffee stays dry.
Air-tight
Exposure to air affects the quality of coffee in multiple ways. Firstly, it loses aroma and flavour. Secondly, the oil in roasted beans can oxidise, turning the coffee rancid. And thirdly the beans tend to dry out when exposed to air, which can affect the coffee grind as well as the taste intensity. Vacuum-packs and air-tight closures are essential for keeping the good stuff in and the bad stuff out!
Food Grade
Any container used for coffee must be certified food grade. And it makes sense to choose BPA-free plastics that won't leach chemicals that would affect the quality of the product.
The Coffee Industry Moves Towards Sustainable Packaging
Multi-material packaging, such as the foil-lined plastic pouches often used by coffee roasters, is amongst the hardest to recycle. This is because the pouches can’t be broken down into their separate components, so they can’t be recycled.
Pouches are also single-use products, and in a sector where provenance and sustainability matter, many in the industry are looking to switch to reusable alternatives.
Containers made from a single material, whether that’s metal or plastic can also be easily recycled after use. Black tubs that are BPA-free and food grade can be a practical re-usable option and are ideal for storing ground coffee and coffee beans. They're airtight, watertight and lightproof, so they'll protect your coffee from air, water and light damage.
As the price and popularity of coffee increases the need for packaging that protects the environment as well as the coffee becomes more pressing, and it’s encouraging to see businesses making the move away from single-use packaging.