Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormGreen (Unroasted, Dried)
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Market
Coffee beans in Israel are an import-dependent commodity feeding a domestic roasting, retail, and foodservice market. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) indicates Israel imported about USD 85.63 million and 17,417.7 tonnes of HS 090111 (unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee) in 2024. Reported direct exporters to Israel in 2024 included Brazil, Colombia, Uganda, India, and Costa Rica, while reported import partners also included trading hubs such as Switzerland and Singapore. Mainstream branded coffee production and distribution exists domestically, alongside a broad specialty/HoReCa segment.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market with domestic roasting and branded retail presence
Domestic RoleDomestic roasting, blending, packaging, and distribution for household and HoReCa consumption; green coffee supply is import-based
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
SeasonalityYear-round availability via imports; procurement is managed through continuous import programs and stock management rather than local harvest seasonality.
Risks
Geopolitical HighThe security environment can change quickly and materially disrupt transportation and logistics into and within Israel; elevated regional tensions can also cause airlines to cancel or curtail service, impacting time-sensitive operations and increasing disruption risk for import-dependent supply chains.Hold additional green-bean safety stock, diversify suppliers and routing options where feasible, and continuously monitor official security and transport advisories when planning shipments.
Food Safety MediumOchratoxin A risk increases when moisture control fails in coffee storage and transit; mould growth is possible if beans remain above accepted moisture standards, and contaminated lots may not be reliably detected by visual inspection alone.Implement moisture/condensation controls (dry warehousing, container moisture management) and apply supplier quality controls aligned with Codex guidance on preventing and reducing ochratoxin A in coffee.
Regulatory Compliance MediumNoncompliance with Israel’s importer registration, declaration/approval, and shipment release procedures for plant-based foods can lead to clearance delays, added inspection costs, or shipment holds.Confirm importer registration status, submit declarations/approvals in advance, and align shipment paperwork to Ministry of Health release requirements before vessel arrival.
Labor And Human Rights MediumUpstream coffee production in some origin countries is linked (in public risk lists) to child labor and/or forced labor concerns, creating reputational and buyer-audit risk for importers and brands in Israel.Conduct origin-specific due diligence (supplier codes of conduct, third-party audits/certifications, and grievance mechanisms) and prioritize traceable, verified supply chains.
Logistics MediumOcean freight, insurance, and routing volatility can raise landed cost and create arrival uncertainty for containerized green coffee shipments into Israel, especially during periods of heightened regional risk.Use flexible shipping schedules, contract buffers with roasters/retail programs, and diversify carriers/routes when possible.
Sustainability- Climate resilience risk in upstream origins can tighten global green coffee supply and increase price volatility for Israel’s import-based market.
- Biodiversity and resource conservation expectations are increasingly embedded in voluntary coffee sustainability frameworks (baseline codes and certification).
Labor & Social- Coffee is identified by the U.S. Department of Labor (ILAB) as among the agricultural goods associated with child labor and/or forced labor risks in certain origin countries, requiring importer due diligence and supplier screening.
- Smallholder livelihood vulnerability and price volatility are recurring coffee-sector themes referenced by sustainability organizations.
FAQ
Does Israel produce coffee beans domestically at commercial scale?Israel is primarily an import-dependent market for coffee beans. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) shows Israel imported about USD 85.63 million of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee (HS 090111) in 2024, indicating the market is supplied mainly by imports rather than domestic production.
Which countries supply Israel with unroasted (green) coffee?UN Comtrade data (via WITS) for 2024 lists Brazil, Colombia, Uganda, India, and Costa Rica among the top exporters of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee (HS 090111) to Israel.
What are the main regulatory steps to import plant-based foods like coffee into Israel?Israel’s Ministry of Health describes a process that includes obtaining an importer registration certificate, submitting the appropriate importer declaration/approval (regular vs sensitive category as applicable), and completing shipment inspection and release at ports of entry via quarantine stations, with potential laboratory checks depending on the product.