Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormGreen / Unroasted
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Israel is an import-dependent green coffee market, with virtually all supply arriving from abroad for domestic roasting and consumption. WITS data show substantial imports of HS 090111 coffee in both 2023 and 2024, and 2024 trade was led by Switzerland as a trading hub, followed by Singapore, Italy, Germany and the UK. Market access is shaped more by food-import approvals and port-release procedures than by domestic production. Landed cost is sensitive to freight conditions and global coffee price swings.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer and roasting market
Domestic RoleDomestic coffee consumption and local roasting market
Market GrowthGrowing (2023-2024)Recent import value increase
Specification
Physical Attributes- Low moisture content
- Uniform screen size
- Low defect count
- Free of foreign matter and odor contamination
Compositional Metrics- Moisture control
- Bean density and screen size
- Lot-to-lot consistency
Grades- Commercial grade
- Specialty grade
- Certified lot
Packaging- 60-70 kg export sacks
- Lined bags for moisture protection
- GrainPro or equivalent specialty packaging
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Origin farm or cooperative -> dry mill -> exporter -> ocean freight -> Israeli importer -> customs and food-services release -> local roaster -> cafe and retail distribution
Temperature- Ambient, dry handling is preferred
- No cold chain is typically required
Atmosphere Control- Protect from humidity and condensation
- Avoid strong odors during transit and storage
Shelf Life- Green beans are relatively stable when dry, but quality declines with moisture, heat and long storage
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighA shipment can be delayed or refused if HS 090111 is not matched to the required Israeli food-import approval and port-release workflow before arrival.Pre-clear the tariff code, importer registration and Food Services approval, and reconcile all documents before shipment.
Logistics MediumSea freight to Israel remains exposed to Red Sea and other routing disruptions, which can lengthen transit time and raise landed cost.Build lead-time buffer and use alternate routing or forward cover where possible.
Market Volatility MediumGlobal coffee prices can swing sharply because of weather and supply shocks, so import costs can change faster than retail or roast pricing.Shorten quote validity windows and use indexed pricing or hedging where scale permits.
Food Safety MediumGreen beans can be downgraded by moisture pickup, contamination or poor warehousing conditions.Require dry, odor-free storage and pre-shipment quality checks.
Sustainability MediumOrigin-country deforestation, water and labor-screening expectations can affect supplier acceptance, especially for certified or specialty programs.Request origin traceability and supplier sustainability documentation.
Sustainability- Deforestation screening at origin
- Water stewardship in coffee-growing regions
- Climate stress in supplier countries
Labor & Social- Origin-country labor due diligence across farms, mills and traders
- Wage compliance and seasonal labor conditions in supplier chains
FAQ
What is the main regulatory gate for importing green coffee beans into Israel?The shipment has to match the correct HS 090111 classification and the required Ministry of Health food-import approval path before it arrives. If the paperwork does not line up, the cargo can be delayed or rejected at release.
Where does Israel source most of its unroasted coffee?WITS shows that 2024 imports were led by Switzerland as a trading hub, followed by Singapore, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom. The origin base is broader than those hubs, with direct supply also recorded from Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, India and others.
Is Israel a producer of green coffee beans?No significant domestic production is identified. The market is import dependent and the local value is added mainly through roasting and distribution.
Why do coffee prices matter for Israeli buyers?Because the product is imported, Israeli buyers are exposed to global coffee price swings. The ICO and FAO both note sharp price movement driven by supply and climate conditions, which can quickly affect landed cost.