HOW THREE INDONESIAN COFFEE BRANDS CRACKED THE GLOBAL SCENE—AND WHY NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO JOIN THE COFFEE GOLD RUSH
From small villages to the heart of Amsterdam, Indonesian brews are taking the world by storm. The kicker? They might be exactly what China’s booming coffee scene needs next.
In a world where coffee is no longer just a drink but a cultural phenomenon, three Indonesian SMEs just turned heads at one of the most prestigious events in the coffee world—the 2025 Amsterdam Coffee Festival. But this isn’t just another feel-good story. It’s a sign of something bigger: a global shift in taste, demand, and opportunity.
Backed by PT Bank SMBC Indonesia Tbk (SMBC Indonesia) through its SME empowerment initiative, Daya, local champions Kata & Rasa, Delawa Coffee, and Kopi Lasi stepped onto the international stage—and didn’t just blend in. They stood out.
Local Legends Meet Global Cravings
While the Amsterdam crowd of 15,000 sampled everything from cold brews to rare single origins, these Indonesian brands brought something new: a story-rich cup rooted in tradition and terroir. The trio served up everything from floral arabicas to bold robustas, proudly introducing coffee lovers to beans grown in the shadow of Indonesia’s volcanoes and cultivated by community farmers.
The Roemah Indonesia Booth, supported by SMBC Indonesia, raked in €6,000 in sales and drew nearly 3,000 visitors over just three days. That’s more than just success—it’s proof of global appetite for something different.
But here’s where it gets even more interesting…
China’s Coffee Craze Is Exploding—And Indonesia Could Be Its Next Obsession
While Indonesia is exporting authenticity, China is importing flavor—fast. In just the past decade, China’s coffee consumption has surged nearly 150%, reaching a forecast 6.3 million bags in 2024/25. That’s massive, and it’s still growing.
Initially dominated by low-quality soluble coffee, Chinese demand is now shifting to high-quality green beans and origin-identified roasts. With more than 3.6 million bags of green coffee expected to be imported this year alone, and a growing youth market embracing premium brews, the door is wide open.
And guess what? Indonesia, once a top supplier to China, is poised for a comeback. With Robusta production rebounding and Arabica on the rise, the country is ready to reassert its presence in a market now hungry for craft-quality, story-driven coffee.
“We’re witnessing a global turning point,” said Andrie Darusman, Head of Communications and Daya at SMBC Indonesia. “People don’t just want coffee anymore—they want connection, sustainability, and a story. That’s exactly what our SMEs bring to the table.”
From Village Roots to Global Routes
Each of the featured brands has a story worth sipping:
- Kata & Rasa: A Daya Fest alum, specializing in Arabica Gayo, Robusta Temanggung, and Java Ijen beans.
- Delawa Coffee: CSQA-certified, its arabica boasts tropical fruit notes, while its robusta packs a nutty punch.
- Kopi Lasi: Sourcing from West Sumatra, this brand processes over one ton of cherries weekly and supports 53 local farmers.
These aren’t mega-corporations—they’re passionate producers changing the game one bean at a time.
The Bigger Brew: A Wake-Up Call for Young Entrepreneurs
If there’s ever been a time to dive into the coffee industry, it’s now. Global consumption is projected to rise by over 5 million bags this year alone, with rising demand in powerhouses like the EU, US, and China. As legacy exporters like Brazil face weather-driven slowdowns and Vietnam rebuilds its harvest, fresh players with quality beans and authentic stories are in prime position to win.
So, are you the next local brand to go global? SMBC Indonesia’s Daya program is proving that it’s possible—without a billion-dollar budget or corporate backing. Just passion, partnership, and the right platform.
One festival. Three underdog brands. A global stage.
This isn’t just a coffee story—it’s a blueprint for breakout success.
