Indonesia Coffee Expo 2026 Showcases the Allure of Indonesian Coffee
Coffee is no longer just a beverage or a modern lifestyle trend. It has transformed into a symbol of creativity and identity. It is time for Indonesian coffee to step onto the global stage.
Drinking coffee has become a new identity for urban communities. Enjoying coffee is now part of everyday life and a necessity across social classes and backgrounds.
The artisanal or specialty coffee trend, rooted in the distinctive flavors of local beans, has positioned coffee as a cultural character of society. Over the past 20 years, coffee enthusiasts have expanded from teenagers to adults.
“I usually drink coffee twice a day, in the morning and after lunch. Sometimes more when I have a lot on my mind,” said Nixon LP Napitupulu, President Director of PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk, during the launch of Indonesia Coffee Expo 2026 last week.
He shared that the habit of drinking coffee has long been part of his family tradition, starting from his grandfather and parents. Today, the daily coffee ritual has also deeply penetrated younger generations.
Throughout 2024–2025, Indonesia’s national coffee production reached approximately 10.7 million bags, or around 640,000–800,000 tons per year, involving millions of farmers who depend on coffee as their livelihood. The rise in domestic coffee consumption has contributed to the growth of cafés and coffee shops, while also inspiring diverse coffee creations driven by young entrepreneurs.
Daryanto Witarsa, Chairman of the Specialty Coffee Association of Indonesia (SCAI), revealed that global enthusiasm for Indonesian coffee is very high. Many Indonesian diaspora communities are seeking opportunities to open coffee shops abroad or export coffee. This has become a catalyst for the growth of national coffee production and an integral part of Indonesia’s modern lifestyle.
The future of Indonesia’s coffee industry is inseparable from its closely connected ecosystem—farmers, local café businesses, and the global market. This path is being strengthened through the Indonesia Coffee Expo (ICX) 2026, themed “Brewing Business, Shaping Lifestyle, and Coffee Excellence.”
“The business is out there, especially since the majority are millennials and Gen Z. There are many business opportunities we can explore,” said Daryanto.
The inaugural ICX 2026 is expected to connect the potential of farmers and local café businesses with the global market. Organized by SCAI together with Dyandra Promosindo and in collaboration with PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk, ICX will be held in three cities: Surabaya on May 29–31, 2026; Medan on July 31–August 2, 2026; and culminating in Jakarta on September 4–5, 2026.
Tapping into the Market
Nixon added that Indonesia’s domestic coffee market remains very strong. Around 40 percent of Indonesians consume two cups of coffee daily. The coffee trade is valued at 1.43 billion US dollars, or approximately IDR 20 trillion per year. Including small coffee stalls and mobile street vendors (starling), the total circulation of the coffee business is estimated to exceed IDR 20 trillion.
The 2020 Population Census conducted by Statistics Indonesia (BPS) recorded that Generation Z (born 1997–2012) totals 74.93 million people, or 27.9 percent of the population. Millennials (born 1981–1996) account for 69.38 million people, or 25.87 percent. Combined, these young generations represent 52.2 percent of Indonesia’s total population.
According to Daryanto, beyond industrial processes, ICX 2026 will introduce the concept of origin trade to visitors. Attendees will experience Indonesia’s coffee journey from upstream to downstream—starting from green beans, roasting, brewing, and finally coffee tasting.
Currently, of Indonesia’s 11.8 million bags of coffee exports annually, almost all are in the form of green beans, while roasted beans remain minimal. Export variants are also dominated by robusta, which has a lower price compared to other varieties.
Efforts to elevate the value of Indonesian coffee in the global market continue, including through international barista and coffee roaster championships to showcase Indonesian flavors on the world stage.
As one of the world’s leading coffee producers, Indonesia needs to strengthen its entire supply chain to create added value. Economic growth is expected to follow, encouraging farmers to cultivate higher-quality coffee. Indonesia is also among the producing countries with international barista champions—most winners historically come from consumer countries.
“With the development of artisanal coffee, the added value of coffee is increasing. The market for Arabica and roasted coffee is also growing,” said Daryanto.
The role of baristas in elevating Indonesian coffee flavors has also been initiated by coffee chains such as Starbucks. Through brewed coffee and beautiful latte art, baristas not only promote Indonesian coffee but also convey messages to the world.
Renauldy Darma Wijaya (24), who won first place in the Latte Art category at the Regional Barista Championship 2024, uses international competitions as a platform to share messages. When presenting a proboscis monkey pattern, for instance, he highlighted the endangered status of the endemic Kalimantan species to raise awareness for its protection (Kompas.id, 8/8/2025).
Coffee is no longer merely a commodity—it is a symbol of identity. It represents Indonesia’s evolving cultural heritage, especially among young people. The growth of comfortable coffee shops has transformed them into spaces for youth to work, study, and build connections.
President Director of Dyandra Promosindo, Daswar Marpaung, stated that ICX will become an annual event and an inseparable part of Indonesian society.
“Today, coffee is not just a commodity, but also a symbol of creativity and identity. The spirit of collaboration will strengthen Indonesia’s position as a major force on the global coffee map,” he concluded.
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