While exact figures are not available, a study commissioned by coffee firms estimates about 32,000 tons was consumed in Russia in 2000, a figure that could rise to 38,000 tons this year and represents a manifold rise over Soviet-era levels. Most of this comes from Brazil and India though imports are rising of Columbian, Kenyan and other coffees as well. Consumption patterns are also changing. While soluble coffee still dominates the market, consumption of green and roasted coffee is growing faster. Imports of the latter rose 17 percent in 2000, compared to a 15 percent rise for instant coffee.
Coffee is linked closely to socio-economic factors, above all to living standards.
Tapan Chakraborty, Russia and CIS head of India's Tea Promotion Board said Russian tea imports from India would remain stable at about 100,000 tons per year for the next five years. The coffee market is growing in a very noticeable manner. Chanturya agreed, noting that 80 percent of the coffee imported was consumed in large, more affluent Russian cities. India's market share is being eroded not only by coffee but also imports from Sri Lanka, China as well as quality teas from the United Kingdom. It accounts now for 70 percent of Russia's tea imports, down from 95 percent in Soviet times.