Reconfiguration of global coffee trade networks post-Covid-19: a temporal analysis with SNA (2019-2023)

Abstract

Between 2019 and 2023, international trade as a whole went through an unprecedented period: the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the entire value chain and left lasting consequences that persisted for several years. This article traces that path and examines how the crisis reshaped trade flows for coffee beans and the coffee commodity, exacerbated long-standing problems in production and logistics, and changed the way coffee is consumed worldwide. To do so, we used social network analysis (SNA) methodology with the support of Gephi software, which allowed us to map and measure trade relationships based on official export and import figures from the International Trade Centre (INTRACEN/ITC) and its TradeMap tool. With this foundation, we were able to track recurring trade patterns, how network connectivity changed, and which countries occupied the network’s center at any given time. Our findings confirm that the supply chain remains vulnerable to price fluctuations and logistical bottlenecks, but they also make it clear that strengthening trade ties and adopting more resilient strategies is no longer optional. We observed how markets previously more inclined toward tea or other beverages began to see a surge in demand for coffee—as is the case with the People’s Republic of China—adding new stakeholders to an increasingly dynamic international trade landscape.