If there is one thing we know about the coffee industry, it is the fact that it is highly competitive. Coffee is the world’s number one hot beverage, with a seemingly endless list of varieties being grown all over the world. So, who are the major players in the industry for 2015? Who are the up-and-coming competitors who will fight tooth and nail for their share of the market? We have put together a selection of both producers and coffee companies under both categories. We expect to see a pretty heated battle for market dominance through the end of 2015.

Coffee Producers

The top three coffee producing countries in the world since the start of the 21st century have consistently been Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia. That is not expected to change for 2015, but all three will probably produce and export less product this year than in previous years. Brazil, for example, has been going through a pretty significant drought over the last 12 months. This year’s crop does not look nearly as robust as previous years.

In Honduras, things are considerably different. Production and export within the Central American country was up 4.2% in January alone, continuing a steady climb that producers in the country have enjoyed since 2009. Other coffee producing countries to watch in 2015 include Ethiopia, Nicaragua, and Cameroon. Robusta and Arabica exports look especially promising out of Cameroon.

Coffee Companies

Back here in the U.S., we are more concerned about the companies processing and roasting coffee than the countries producing it. After all, what we buy comes from the roasters.

At the top of the list of major players are Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Folgers (owned by J.M. Smucker). Not only are Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts dominant in the retail coffee house sector, they also compete with Folgers by producing their own blends that consumers can purchase for use in their home coffee machines. Coffee service companies are even beginning to offer Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts products to their customers.

In the emerging arena, we think one of the players to keep an eye on is a company named Community Coffee. They are not new by any stretch, having been established in the early 1900s, but they are getting a lot of media attention these days. You may have even seen some of their commercials popping up on your local television station.

Others to watch include Temple Coffee Roasters, Klatch Coffee, Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea and the UK’s answer to Starbucks – Costa Coffee. Costa Coffee is the UK’s largest coffeehouse chain and a premium roaster. They are just now making inroads into the American market.

The competition is heating up as coffee is taking hold among a younger and more particular audience. At Galaxie Coffee, we will continue striving to meet the needs of all of our customers regardless of their tastes and preferences. We are proud to offer the New York area a wide selection of hot and cold beverages for office consumption.