Coffee, Tea & Spices Wholesaling in the UK - Industry Market Research Report

Demand shift: Health-conscious consumers drive sales of green and herbal teas and premium coffee

Wholesalers' performance is heavily influenced by the global prices of the commodities coffee, tea, cocoa and spices, with major fluctuations in revenue and profit driven mainly by price volatility. Most commodities are denominated in US dollars, meaning the sustained weakness of the pound has increased the cost of importing goods for resale. Consumer preferences are shifting towards health and wellness drinks, with fewer sales of black tea offset by a surge in demand for herbal and botanical-infused drinks with lower caffeine content. Demand for coffee is rising as more people want premium-based coffee experiences, as shown by the uptake of at-home coffee machines. Consumer interest in sustainably and ethically produced cocoa encourages wholesalers to carefully source their cocoa and ensure its traceability. An uptick in global cuisine cooking has lifted spice sales, helped along the way by trends on social media. Over the five years through 2023-24, wholesalers' revenue is estimated to fall at a compound annual rate of 2.4% to £3.1 billion.

This industry wholesales coffee, tea, cocoa and spices. Wholesalers perform no additional processing beyond repackaging, instead focusing on storing and distributing products.

This report covers the scope, size, disposition and growth of the industry including the key sensitivities and success factors. Also included are five year industry forecasts, growth rates and an analysis of the industry key players and their market shares.