SHANGHAI — China is a market that remains under the close scrutiny of many coffee roasters, who view it as playing a decisive role in the sector’s balance, amid new trends and business opportunities. One figure stands out loud and clear: Shanghai now has more than 10,000 coffee shops, cementing China’s leadership in this field.
This figure, along with others, comes from the China Urban Coffee Development Report 2026, presented on April 30 during the opening ceremony of the Shanghai International Coffee Culture Festival by Xu Jian, vice dean of the China Institute for Urban Governance at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Shanghai is strengthening its position as China’s coffee capital.
In 2025, the number of coffee shops in the metropolis reached 10,336, surpassing the 10,000 mark for the first time—up from the 9,115 establishments recorded in 2024.
The data comes from the China Urban Coffee Development Report 2026, presented on April 30 during the opening ceremony of the Shanghai International Coffee Culture Festival by Xu Jian, vice dean of the China Institute for Urban Governance at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
According to the report, the Chinese coffee market continues to expand at a rapid pace. In 2025, the sector’s total value reached 354.9 billion yuan (approximately 51.9 billion dollars), representing a 13.3% increase over the previous year.
The number of businesses in the sector is also rising sharply: the number of companies active in the sector rose from 29,100 in 2021 to 57,900 in 2025, while annual per capita consumption rose from 16.74 cups in 2023 to 28.57 cups in 2025, confirming the growing popularity of coffee culture among Chinese consumers.
The report also devotes considerable attention to the development of the domestic production chain.
In Yunnan, China’s main coffee-growing region, the share of coffee classified as specialty coffee rose from 8% in 2021 to 31.6% in 2025, thanks to improvements in cultivation and processing techniques.
The province’s exports reached a value of 860 million yuan that same year, with shipments to 43 countries and territories, including the Netherlands, Vietnam, Germany, Malaysia, and France.
Among the emerging trends highlighted in the report is the growing popularity of beverages that combine coffee with traditional Chinese ingredients. In particular, coffee-based drinks flavored with tea—such as jasmine tea—are gaining popularity, reflecting a trend that blends international influences with local tastes.
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