Přehled o publikaci

The aim of the paper was to investigate the demand function for coffee in selected EU countries using content analysis, price elasticity and income elasticity calculations. The content analysis revealed 13 factors behind the demand for coffee, including quality, rare, healthy, unique and certified coffee, eco-labels, decaffeinated products, sensory and physiological characteristics, human diseases and environmental pollution as the main determinants. The relationship between the demand for coffee and its price was also examined, measuring price and income elasticities of demand. The factors behind coffee demand have created a perfectly inelastic demand in the EU. Low quality coffee is not attractive to consumers who want excellent, rare and healthy products. It is therefore concluded that there is a perfectly inelastic demand for coffee. The quantity demanded is independent of changes in coffee prices, indicating that the quantity demanded does not change despite price fluctuations (no elasticity). Coffee is classified as an inferior commodity in the EU and shows declining demand despite rising incomes.