Kunshan brews 100 billion yuan coffee industry to become major global hub

Just over a year after the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region was elevated to a national strategy, US coffee giant Starbucks chose Kunshan, East China's Jiangsu province, for its largest coffee manufacturing investment outside the United States — an early bet on the city's ability to connect global supply chains with China's vast consumer market.

The investment has since become part of broader efforts by the Kunshan government to make coffee a new industrial growth engine. That ambition was on display at the 2026 Kunshan International Specialty Coffee Exhibition, held from Thursday to Saturday, which brought together more than 230 brands from 21 countries and regions.

Under a three-year action plan covering 2025 through 2027, Kunshan aims to build a 100-billion-yuan ($14.9 billion) coffee industry and develop a broader coffee plus culture and consumer ecosystem. Its main goal is to build Kunshan into an international "capital city" of the coffee industry that buys globally and sells globally.

The 2026 Kunshan International Specialty Coffee Exhibition featured green coffee beans from major producing countries, coffee equipment and machinery, processing and packaging solutions, as well as ingredients and other innovative products.

Beyond the displays and tastings, the exhibition is designed to facilitate business connections across the coffee supply chain, with industry trend presentations, supply chain forums, cupping sessions and professional tasting activities providing opportunities for producers and buyers to connect face to face.

For international coffee producers, China's growing coffee market is opening new possibilities. For exporters seeking to enter the Chinese market, Kunshan offers more than access to consumers — it provides a gateway to a broader coffee supply chain.

"We are trying to explore the market and get new buyers," said Semeon Sertsu, managing director of an Ethiopian coffee company. He added that the company sees continued opportunities in China as the next harvest season approaches.

Kunshan was named as the capital of the international coffee industry by the International Institute of Coffee Tasters, an Italian organization specializing in scientific coffee sensory analysis.

Located in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta region, Kunshan is close to one of China's most dynamic consumer markets, with a population of about 230 million across the region. Its proximity to Shanghai, together with its logistics and customs advantages, has helped the city develop into a major hub connecting overseas coffee origins with China's roasters, brands and retailers.

The city has established trade channels with 33 major coffee-producing countries and regions. Its logistics network enables roasted coffee beans to reach destinations across East China within hours, helping supply thousands of coffee shops and other businesses.

Major companies including Starbucks, Luckin Coffee and Mitsui &Co have established operations or projects in the city, further strengthening its position across the coffee supply chain.

In 2026, Kunshan's coffee roasting capacity reached 200,000 metric tons, with warehousing capacity reaching 150,000 tons.

For international coffee producers and traders, moreover, China's expanding market offers opportunities to reach a growing base of consumers. Mamoun Bashir, general manager of Promising International's China office, said China's growing coffee consumption has made it an increasingly important market for the global coffee industry.

These international connections are also extending beyond trade. Kunshan has more than 1,000 coffee shops, while coffee-related venues such as a coffee industry creative center, a coffee museum and Penglang Coffee Town are creating new spaces where the industry intersects with tourism, education, competitions and everyday life.

At the exhibition, Haniel, an exhibitor from El Salvador, said face-to-face events were particularly valuable for introducing brands to potential buyers and business partners in China.

"With this type of event, we can showcase our brand and show all the potential of coffee from El Salvador," Haniel said. "A good cup of coffee and a good talk can connect with a lot of people."