The people behind the cup: International Coffee Day celebrates Australia’s coffee manufacturers
1 October 2026
This International Coffee Day, the Australian Food and Grocery Council is recognising the people, manufacturers and supply chain behind one of Australia’s most loved daily rituals.
For millions of Australians, coffee is part of the everyday life. Around three in four Australian adults drink coffee regularly. Whether it’s an instant coffee before work, a capsule at home or a café flat white, every cup relies on roasters, manufacturers, logistics operators, baristas and retailers.
Australia’s influence on coffee culture extends well beyond its shores. The flat white has become a global favourite, while Australian café culture continues to shape coffee trends around the world.
“Australians take their coffee seriously and so do the people who manufacturer it,” said AFGC CEO Colm Maguire.
“Before that first sip, coffee has been roasted, blended, packaged, transported and distributed, with much of that work happening here in Australia. International Coffee Day is a chance to recognise the people behind every cup.”
“To keep making the products Australians rely on every day, our manufacturers need investment, a skilled workforce, reliable and affordable energy, and resilient supply chains.”
Australia’s food and grocery manufacturing sector supports more than 301,000 jobs, generates $182.6 billion in annual turnover and contributes $52.6 billion in exports.
Lavazza Australia Managing Director Mimmo Orlando said Australia’s coffee culture was recognised around the world.
“Australia is a world leader in modern coffee culture and one of the most sophisticated espresso markets globally. One in three Australians owns an espresso machine at home, among the highest rates in the world.
“At Lavazza, we are proud to have helped shape Australia’s espresso coffee culture. Today, we combine 130 years of coffee roasting expertise in both Australia and Turin to meet the tastes and expectations of Australian consumers.”
Nestlé Australia General Manager, Beverages, Martin Brown, said local manufacturing remained central to the country’s coffee story.
“Our Gympie factory helps fuel Australia’s love of coffee, producing enough NESCAFÉ to make around 20 million cups every day.
“Behind those millions of cups are generations of local employees who have helped make NESCAFÉ in Australia since 1987, building a proud manufacturing legacy in regional Queensland.”
Contact
Zandi Shabalala
media@afgc.org.au
0430 051 575
