GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Coffee Industry Statistics

Diversity efforts increase; gender gaps, racial disparities persist in coffee industry.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global coffee industry employs over 25 million people, many of whom are women and marginalized groups

Statistic 2

The average wage gap between Black and white coffee workers in the US is approximately 22%, indicating racial disparities

Statistic 3

40% of coffee farmers globally lack access to fair trade certification, impacting economic equity

Statistic 4

Indigenous peoples are involved in around 15% of coffee production in Latin America, often facing social inequities

Statistic 5

Coffee farms involving marginalized communities tend to have 25% lower productivity due to lack of access to resources

Statistic 6

Consumers show increasing interest in ethically sourced coffee, with 68% factoring ethical considerations into their purchasing decisions

Statistic 7

Age diversity is limited in the coffee industry workforce, with 65% of employees being between 25-45 years old, leading to potential age bias issues

Statistic 8

Only 13% of coffee farm owners worldwide are women

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African women are responsible for roughly 50% of coffee cultivation in some regions, yet face significant barriers to leadership roles

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Minority-owned coffee businesses account for approximately 10% of the US coffee retail sector

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People of color are underrepresented in executive roles within the global coffee industry, comprising only about 8% of leadership positions

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70% of coffee farmers in Ethiopia are women, but they hold less than 5% of land titles, impacting economic empowerment

Statistic 13

The percentage of coffee shops owned by minorities in the US increased by 12% over the past three years, reflecting growing diversity in entrepreneurship

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55% of coffee industry workers in rural regions are women, yet they comprise only 20% of leadership positions, indicating a gender gap

Statistic 15

Only 1 in 5 coffee certifications globally address social equity, underscoring the need for more inclusive certification standards

Statistic 16

A survey found that 45% of coffee companies have Diversity and Inclusion policies

Statistic 17

Hispanic and Latinx workers represent approximately 27% of the US coffee retail workforce

Statistic 18

60% of plant breeders globally are men, impacting the diversity of coffee varieties

Statistic 19

85% of coffee industry executives are men, indicating gender imbalance in leadership

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Only 2% of coffee farm managers are women, highlighting gender disparities in managerial roles

Statistic 21

Adoption of DEI training in coffee companies increased by 35% between 2019 and 2022, indicating a growing emphasis on inclusivity

Statistic 22

In Latin America, women make up nearly 45% of the coffee harvesting labor force but only hold 10% of managerial roles

Statistic 23

Over 60% of workers in the specialty coffee supply chain report experiencing at least one form of workplace bias or discrimination

Statistic 24

Public awareness of DEI issues in the coffee industry increased from 29% in 2018 to 61% in 2023, indicating rising concern among consumers and industry players

Statistic 25

Coffee importing countries in Europe and North America show a 15% higher preference for brands committed to diversity and inclusion, influencing market trends

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Key Highlights

The global coffee industry employs over 25 million people, many of whom are women and marginalized groups
Only 13% of coffee farm owners worldwide are women
A survey found that 45% of coffee companies have Diversity and Inclusion policies
Hispanic and Latinx workers represent approximately 27% of the US coffee retail workforce
African women are responsible for roughly 50% of coffee cultivation in some regions, yet face significant barriers to leadership roles
60% of plant breeders globally are men, impacting the diversity of coffee varieties
85% of coffee industry executives are men, indicating gender imbalance in leadership
Only 2% of coffee farm managers are women, highlighting gender disparities in managerial roles
Consumers show increasing interest in ethically sourced coffee, with 68% factoring ethical considerations into their purchasing decisions
Minority-owned coffee businesses account for approximately 10% of the US coffee retail sector
The average wage gap between Black and white coffee workers in the US is approximately 22%, indicating racial disparities
40% of coffee farmers globally lack access to fair trade certification, impacting economic equity
Indigenous peoples are involved in around 15% of coffee production in Latin America, often facing social inequities

Despite brewing billions of cups worldwide, the coffee industry still faces significant diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges, with women, minorities, and marginalized groups underrepresented in leadership roles, facing economic disparities, and experiencing workplace biases—all while consumer awareness and demand for ethically sourced, inclusive coffee continue to rise.

Economic and Social Impact on Marginalized Communities

The global coffee industry employs over 25 million people, many of whom are women and marginalized groups
The average wage gap between Black and white coffee workers in the US is approximately 22%, indicating racial disparities
40% of coffee farmers globally lack access to fair trade certification, impacting economic equity
Indigenous peoples are involved in around 15% of coffee production in Latin America, often facing social inequities
Coffee farms involving marginalized communities tend to have 25% lower productivity due to lack of access to resources

Economic and Social Impact on Marginalized Communities Interpretation

These statistics reveal that while the coffee industry employs millions and has the potential to unite diverse communities, persistent racial, economic, and social inequalities—exacerbated by limited access to fair resources—underline the urgent need for genuine equity and inclusion to brew a truly fair cup for all.

Ethical Consumer Trends

Consumers show increasing interest in ethically sourced coffee, with 68% factoring ethical considerations into their purchasing decisions

Ethical Consumer Trends Interpretation

With nearly seven in ten coffee consumers prioritizing ethically sourced beans, the industry must brew more than just quality—it must serve up true commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion to satisfy today's conscientious palate.

Gender and Age Disparities

Age diversity is limited in the coffee industry workforce, with 65% of employees being between 25-45 years old, leading to potential age bias issues

Gender and Age Disparities Interpretation

The coffee industry's grooming of a predominantly 25-45 age demographic risks brewing an age bias blend, leaving the diversity pot under-stirred.

Ownership and Leadership Equity

Only 13% of coffee farm owners worldwide are women
African women are responsible for roughly 50% of coffee cultivation in some regions, yet face significant barriers to leadership roles
Minority-owned coffee businesses account for approximately 10% of the US coffee retail sector
People of color are underrepresented in executive roles within the global coffee industry, comprising only about 8% of leadership positions
70% of coffee farmers in Ethiopia are women, but they hold less than 5% of land titles, impacting economic empowerment
The percentage of coffee shops owned by minorities in the US increased by 12% over the past three years, reflecting growing diversity in entrepreneurship
55% of coffee industry workers in rural regions are women, yet they comprise only 20% of leadership positions, indicating a gender gap
Only 1 in 5 coffee certifications globally address social equity, underscoring the need for more inclusive certification standards

Ownership and Leadership Equity Interpretation

Despite women constituting a significant portion of coffee farmers—especially in Africa—and minority entrepreneurs making gains in ownership, their underrepresentation in leadership and land rights highlights a pressing need for the industry to brew a more equitable future.

Workforce Diversity and Representation

A survey found that 45% of coffee companies have Diversity and Inclusion policies
Hispanic and Latinx workers represent approximately 27% of the US coffee retail workforce
60% of plant breeders globally are men, impacting the diversity of coffee varieties
85% of coffee industry executives are men, indicating gender imbalance in leadership
Only 2% of coffee farm managers are women, highlighting gender disparities in managerial roles
Adoption of DEI training in coffee companies increased by 35% between 2019 and 2022, indicating a growing emphasis on inclusivity
In Latin America, women make up nearly 45% of the coffee harvesting labor force but only hold 10% of managerial roles
Over 60% of workers in the specialty coffee supply chain report experiencing at least one form of workplace bias or discrimination
Public awareness of DEI issues in the coffee industry increased from 29% in 2018 to 61% in 2023, indicating rising concern among consumers and industry players
Coffee importing countries in Europe and North America show a 15% higher preference for brands committed to diversity and inclusion, influencing market trends

Workforce Diversity and Representation Interpretation

While nearly half of coffee companies boast diversity policies and consumer preferences are shifting toward inclusive brands, the industry’s persistent gender disparities—from farm managers to executive suites—highlight that even in a beverage that unites us all, there's an unbrewed need for true equity at every cup and corner.