China - July 29, 2024

China sees booming demand for coffee professionals

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China's percolating coffee market is spurring demand for professionals who can grow, brew and sell the beverage to the exploding number of coffee drinkers in the country.

In southwest China's Yunnan Province, coffee training classes are packed with students from across the country, eager to acquire professional skills and an official barista certificate.

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Wu Yang, trainee:

"As you move up in this industry, you will find that the demand for expertise becomes increasingly high. This has a huge impact on being able to collaborate with others, do procurement, and manage quality control effectively."

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Beyond simply how to make the drink, some coffee training institutions are teaching students coffee cultivation techniques and about the business side coffee growing.

Plus, many collaborate with the community to offer on-the-job internships.

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Wu Yirong, deputy secretary-general, Yunnan Coffee Association:

"The current job demand in Yunnan's coffee industry exceeds 10,000 positions. During their studies, these students will have the opportunity to take internships that help facilitate their precise employment in the field."

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With a coffee industry topping 36 billion U.S. dollars last year, China has overtaken the U.S. as the country with the most branded coffee shops in the world.

[Restriction: No access Chinese mainland]