There’s a lot of industry behind your cup of joe.
There’s something truly magical about the smell of coffee in the morning. It’s a ritual, a pick-me-up, and for many of us, a non-negotiable start to the day! But beyond its role as our trusted caffeine companion, coffee offers an important lesson about the potential of American industry and the communities it supports.
Coffee and the American Economy: More Than a Morning Fix?
We drink a lot of coffee in the United States, but we’re not a major coffee producer. Coffee plants require specific tropical climates to thrive, typically growing best at high elevations in regions near the equator. The majority of the United States lacks the right combination of temperature, rainfall, and altitude to support large-scale coffee farming.
According to USA Facts, the U.S. imported over $6 billion worth of coffee in 2021, primarily from countries like Brazil and Colombia. We’ll always rely on imports to meet our demand, but there are exceptions where farmers are finding ways to grow high-quality coffee beans on American soil. On the sunny shores of Hawaii, for instance, Kauai Coffee Company produces over 4 million pounds of coffee a year. It’s the largest grower in the country.
The coffee industry is a significant contributor to the U.S. economy, supporting over 2.2 million jobs and generating more than $100 billion in wages annually, according to the National Coffee Association. This impact spans various sectors, including trade, transportation, roasting, packaging, and the production of related products and equipment. And, from sustainable irrigation systems to advanced harvesting technologies, it’s manufacturing that’s key to unlocking opportunities for U.S. coffee producers.
It’s not just about growing coffee; it’s about creating jobs, building resilient supply chains, and fostering local economies. Companies like Kauai Coffee don’t just grow beans; they employ local workers, support sustainable practices, and bring pride to their communities. This kind of commitment mirrors the American-made values we champion at the Alliance for American Manufacturing.
From Bean to Brew: The Manufacturing Connection
Manufacturing is essential to every stage of coffee production—from roasting and packaging to the technology that powers it all—and much of the equipment that makes it possible is proudly made in America.
Roasting: Take US Roaster Corp, based in Oklahoma City, for example. This company is a leader in producing high-quality, American-made coffee roasting machines used by both small and large coffee businesses. Their machines are built to last, combining efficiency and precision to bring out the best in every batch of beans. Similarly, San Franciscan Roaster Company, headquartered in Carson City, Nevada, handcrafts premium coffee roasters using U.S.-sourced materials and components. Their machines have become the gold standard for artisanal roasting operations across the country. Coffee Crafters, based in Washington, is another American manufacturer revolutionizing roasting with its energy-efficient fluid-bed air roasting technology, designed for small-batch and commercial use.
Packaging: On the packaging side, Delkor Systems, headquartered in Minnesota, engineers advanced coffee packaging machinery that helps American coffee producers streamline their operations, ensuring their beans are efficiently packaged for freshness and quality. Another key player, All-Fill Inc., based in Pennsylvania, specializes in precision filling and packaging solutions tailored for coffee and other dry goods. These companies are essential in keeping coffee production running smoothly, ensuring efficiency and sustainability at every stage.
Technology: Even sustainable irrigation systems and farm equipment used on coffee plantations are supported by American manufacturing. Valmont Industries, with operations across the U.S., produces advanced irrigation technologies that help coffee growers reduce water waste while increasing yield — a crucial innovation for farmers navigating the challenges of climate change. Additionally, Lindsay Corporation, based in Nebraska, manufactures Zimmatic irrigation systems, which provide efficient water management solutions for agriculture, including specialty crops like coffee.
By investing in American-made roasting machines, packaging equipment, and agricultural tools, the coffee industry strengthens the domestic industrial supply chain. That means jobs, innovation, and domestic economic resilience. These manufacturers embody the spirit of American ingenuity, ensuring that whether coffee is grown in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, California or abroad, the process is powered by American craftsmanship and technology.
A Blend Worth Supporting
AAM believes in a self-reliant America that balances global trade with resilient domestic industries. Whether it’s advocating for policies that support innovation, promoting sustainable practices, or highlighting the incredible work of companies like Kauai Coffee, we see a future where American-grown and American-made go hand in hand.
So, the next time you sip your morning coffee, think about the hands that made it possible, whether your coffee beans come from Colombia, Brazil, Ethiopia, or right here in the U.S.A., U.S. manufacturers likely played a role in bringing it to your cup. They design and build roasting and packaging equipment that keeps the industry running, employing machine operators, technicians, and engineers in factories nationwide. So, raise a mug to them—because without American manufacturing, your morning coffee wouldn’t be nearly as smooth, strong, or satisfying. So, here’s to coffee, community, and the promise of what we can achieve together: Cheers!