International Coffee Day Date in the current year: October 1, 2026

The International Coffee Organization (ICO) was founded in London in 1963 under the auspices of the UN to raise awareness of the economic importance of coffee and to promote the sustainable growth of the global coffee industry. The ICO administers the International Coffee Agreement, which was originally drawn to keep coffee prices stable by coordinating with coffee-producing and -consuming countries. In its current form, the agreement focuses on promoting the sustainable development of the global coffee sector.

In March 2014, the ICO decided to launch International Coffee Day to emphasize coffee’s economic importance, raise awareness of coffee growers’ hardships, and promote fair trade coffee due to its contribution to sustainable development. The first International Coffee Day celebration took place in Milan as part of Expo 2015. It has been celebrated every year since its inception.

In 2026, the General Assembly officially added International Coffee Day to the list of United Nations international days. As a UN observance, it focuses on the importance of coffee as a source of livelihood in developing coffee-producing countries, as well as on the impact of climate change on coffee production.

Coffee is a highly climate-sensitive crop grown in equatorial and tropical climates between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer. This region includes dozens of coffee-producing countries in Africa, the Americas, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. These countries vary greatly in terms of their level of economic development. While coffee is an important export crop in upper-middle-income and high-income countries, such as Brazil and Panama, it is a crucial source of income and rural livelihoods in lower-middle-income and low-income countries, such as Burundi and Uganda.

In these countries, coffee supports millions of rural livelihoods through income and employment. However, small producers often face the greatest risks and receive only a small share of the value of coffee. International Coffee Day highlights the importance of developing a fair and sustainable coffee sector. This includes providing producers with better incomes, greater access to resources and opportunities, and more added value in producing countries.

The day also focuses on the environmental aspects of coffee production. As mentioned above, coffee is a highly climate-sensitive crop. Climate change has resulted in higher temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, and more frequent droughts, which can lower yields and reduce coffee quality while increasing the risk of pests and diseases. One proposed solution is the development of climate-resilient agroforestry tailored to the local conditions and needs of a particular farming community.

On the other hand, coffee processing and consumption contribute to pollution by creating by-products such as husks, pulp, grounds, and wastewater. Proper waste management is another issue highlighted during International Coffee Day.