Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormGreen (unroasted, dried beans)
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product (Roasting Input)
Market
Green coffee beans in Lebanon are primarily an import-supplied input for domestic roasters and coffee manufacturers serving retail and foodservice demand. UN Comtrade/WITS data show Brazil as the dominant supplier of non-roasted, non-decaffeinated coffee to Lebanon, with additional supply from origins such as India, Colombia, Indonesia and Ethiopia. The market includes established local roasting players (e.g., Café Najjar and Café Younes), indicating meaningful domestic value-add through roasting, blending and packaging. Import clearance is document-driven (e.g., SAD declaration, commercial invoice, bill of lading, packing list, and certificate of origin when required), with product-dependent requirements that can include phytosanitary or conformity documentation.
Market RoleNet importer and domestic roasting/consumption market
Domestic RoleImported green beans are used as raw input for roasting/blending and downstream coffee products sold domestically
Risks
Payment And Banking HighLebanon’s banking-sector restrictions and limited access to predictable trade finance/FX settlement can delay or block import payments for bulk commodities such as green coffee beans, disrupting supply continuity for roasters.Align payment terms to realistic settlement pathways (e.g., confirmed L/C via de-risked correspondent channels where feasible), maintain safety-stock buffers, and diversify suppliers to reduce disruption impact.
Logistics MediumLong-haul ocean freight dependence for major origins (e.g., Brazil) exposes landed cost and lead times to container-rate volatility and disruption risk, affecting procurement timing and pricing for Lebanese roasters.Use forward freight planning with wider delivery windows, split sourcing across origins, and pre-book critical shipment slots during peak seasons.
Food Safety MediumOchratoxin A (OTA) risk management is a key food-safety concern for green coffee when drying, storage and moisture control are inadequate; nonconforming lots can trigger rejection, recalls, or buyer delisting.Require supplier controls aligned to Codex OTA-prevention guidance (drying/storage practices) and verify via COA/testing and moisture management in the Lebanese warehouse/roastery intake process.
Documentation Gap MediumMissing or inconsistent import documentation (e.g., SAD filing support, invoice/packing list alignment, origin documentation, and product-dependent certificates) can cause customs delays, demurrage, or clearance refusal.Run a pre-shipment document checklist aligned to Lebanon import documentation requirements and confirm any product-dependent certificates before loading.
Sustainability- Deforestation and land-use due-diligence exposure in coffee supply chains can become a market-access constraint when selling coffee into jurisdictions with deforestation-free requirements (e.g., EU Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 covers coffee).
Labor & Social- Coffee is listed among goods for which forced labor or child labor concerns have been identified in some source countries; importers/roasters may need enhanced supply-chain due diligence depending on origin risk.
FAQ
Which countries are the main suppliers of green coffee beans to Lebanon?UN Comtrade/WITS data for HS 090111 (coffee, not roasted, not decaffeinated) shows Brazil as the top exporter to Lebanon in 2023, with other notable exporters including India, Colombia, Indonesia and Ethiopia.
What documents are typically required to import green coffee beans into Lebanon?Lebanon’s import documentation commonly includes a customs declaration (SAD), original commercial invoice, bill of lading, packing list and, when required, a certificate of origin. Depending on the product category and rules applied, additional documents such as phytosanitary or conformity-related certificates may also be requested.
Why is moisture control emphasized for green coffee beans?Codex guidance on preventing ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination in coffee links OTA risk to drying, storage and moisture conditions. The Codex code of practice references drying green coffee to a maximum moisture content of 12.5% as part of OTA prevention.