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The US specialty coffee market was valued at USD 22 billion in 2024 and grew at a CAGR of 12% from 2025 to 2034. The market is expected to reach USD 68.32 billion by 2034. The rising disposable income will drive the growth of the US specialty coffee market.
Specialty coffee refers to superior quality coffee. What is special about the specialty coffee is its unique taste, the open source of coffee, and the compliance with strict quality standards. As a result of the limited production and perfect harvesting, specialty coffee beans are famous for their quality. The creation of specialty coffee involves all stages from the field of production to roasting. Specialty coffee growers frequently use environment-friendly practices such as organic growing, obtain fair trade, and connect directly with consumers. The use of ripest cherries is guaranteed due to the careful hand-picking, and the very best quality beans emerge from the process. When the beans are harvested, they have to undergo very meticulous processing in order to retain their unique flavours, and are then roasted perfectly to show their best properties. Scoring specialty coffee includes cupping and this is a method where experts grade coffee from light fragrance to body to flavour, taste and finish in a 100-point scale. The evaluation of a coffee has to score no fewer than 80 in a standard 100-point system for it to qualify to be a specialty.
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The rising popularity and fascination for specialty coffee – The growth of the demand for specialty coffee in the U.S is driven by the developments in the industry, the changing cultural landscape and the growing community of coffee fans. The fascination of the consumer with the coffee culture is the major contributing factor which drives the demand for expertly prepared and artisanal coffee experience. The trend has created a platform for the emergence of hundreds of high-end cafes and roasters dealing in quality specialty coffee, and creating more awareness and interest of coffee related topics. There is also the growing popularity of specialty coffee, which is due to social media channels such as Instagram and YouTube which are very well spread. With the help of visual content and a thorough description of the aspects of coffee preparation, a vivid network of coffee lovers has been developed thanks to the “third-wave” coffee movement. Such exposure has contributed to the promotion of specialty coffee to a greater number of people. Therefore, evolution of coffee culture, technology and innovation, and influence of social media have significantly raised the popularity of specialty coffee and made it a valuable commodity in the U.S. market.
High prices and limited availability – The main obstacles to interest in the specialty coffee in the U.S. market are its high price, limited availability, and complicated process. One of the primary constraints to demand is the high costs being charged by specialty blends. Due to better sourcing, meticulous production processes, and the fact that specialty coffee is also handcrafted roasted, specialty coffee typically costs much more than traditional coffees. Such high prices make the products unattractive value for money, thereby reducing its appeal to the masses. Limited accessibility is another issue. In contrary to well distributed mass market coffee found almost everywhere, specialty coffee is mostly available only in specialty shops, boutique roasters or on the web. Consequently, specialty coffee is more difficult to locate in the rural or economically disadvantaged areas, where consumers’ access to special products can be limited to zero. Whereas instant or pre-brewed coffee represents a simple-to-use, quick-to-prepare product, specialty coffee tends to require exact equipment, prespecified, and skilled brewing. Those having busy schedules or just beginning to discover the coffee world might find these additional steps unnecessary or troublesome.
Changing consumer tastes and preferences – The more people become aware of the way coffee’s grown and processed, the more consumers are changing to purchase drinks which are of high quality and also produced ethically. A better comprehension of traceability, the sustainability in farming and the importance of working with farmers directly is increasing the demand for specialty coffee. Major strides have been made by consumer interest in health and wellness which has also encouraged the adoption of organic, pesticide-free and conventionally harvested coffee, as preferred consumer options. The specialty coffees are seen by many as a healthier and of higher quality choice to support these values. Also, the rising disposable income especially among the middle- and high-income groups have made consumers more likely to buy premium coffee alternatives. The high-end nature of specialty coffee attracts people who link the coffee to something luxurious or the frequent purchase of something valuable. The pressure towards sustainability and fair sourcing practices has also fuelled demand.
The grade segment is divided into 90-100, 85-89.99 and 80-84.99. The 85-89.99 segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 44% in 2024. Coffees in this category are characterized by unique tastes, low defect rates, and excellent cup quality, perfect for the well-informed as well as the average drinker. Coffees that produce scores above 90 are “Outstanding,” but very rare, very expensive, and usually reserved for exclusives releases or even serious competitions. In comparison, coffees with ratings of 85–89.99 offer complex taste and superior craftsmanship at accessible price which makes them easier to market and sell on large scale. In other words, the 85–89.99 grade remains a grade of quality that is both accessible and excellent in quality, and it has both achieved dominance and widespread existence in U.S. specialty coffee shops. Due to it’s easy to use nature, quality, and commercial value, it continues to dominate the market.
The application segment is divided into commercial and home. The commercial segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 51% in 2024. Exposure to specialty coffee most often occurs through experiences in specialty coffee shops, third wave cafés, and high-end restaurants. Besides serving up great coffee, these locations provide a sensory experience highlighting the journey of a coffee bean from the roaster to the cup, highlighting origins, farmers’ techniques, roast and brewing methods. The almost experiential and learning qualities of the experience are fundamental in creating and nurturing consumer interest about specialty coffee. In a more specific way, as coffee culture in younger generations thrives in urban environments, cafés have become social centres tied to the consumption of coffee as a process of social interaction, professional performance and individual identity. The commercial segment with its scalability, innovations, and educational initiatives emerge as the main driving force in the development of awareness, quality and consistent growth in the U.S. specialty coffee market.
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Market Size | Revenue (USD Billion) |
| Market size value in 2024 | USD 22 Billion |
| Market size value in 2034 | USD 68.32 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2034) | 12% |
| Historical data | 2021-2023 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast | 2025-2034 |
| Segments | Grade and Application |
As per The Brainy Insights, the size of the specialty coffee market was valued at USD 22 billion in 2024 to USD 68.32 billion by 2034.
Specialty coffee market is growing at a CAGR of 12% during the forecast period 2025-2034.
The market's growth will be influenced by the rising popularity and fascination for specialty coffee.
High prices and limited availability could hamper the market growth.
This study forecasts revenue from 2021 to 2034. The Brainy Insights has segmented the US Specialty Coffee market based on below mentioned segments:
US Specialty Coffee Market by Grade:
US Specialty Coffee Market by Application:
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