The three pie charts below show the coffee production, coffee consumption and the profit distribution around the world.

Coffee production coffee consumption profit distribution around world - IELTS Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

A student's answer to this task, and the feedback on it

Written by an IELTSX user under exam conditions and published unedited and anonymously. Band 9 · 243 words.

The three pie charts illustrate the global proportions of coffee consumption across four regions, production across four specific nations, and how industry profits are distributed among four key stakeholders.

Overall, the global coffee market is characterized by a sharp geographical split and a significant economic imbalance. While Western regions dominate consumption, South Africa leads production. Crucially, a major disparity exists between the upstream creators of the product and downstream businesses, with producers receiving the lowest share of industry profits despite generating nearly half the global supply.

In terms of market demand and supply, Europe and America represent the overwhelming majority of coffee consumption, accounting for 41% and 39%, respectively. In contrast, Japan consumes a modest 8%, while the rest of the world makes up the remaining 12%. On the production side, South Africa is the dominant global supplier at 44%, followed by Vietnam at 22% and Indonesia at 18%. Interestingly, Japan features as both a consumer and a producer, generating 16% of the world’s coffee output.

When examining the financial distribution, the profit allocation reveals an inverse relationship to the production chain. Retailers command more than half of the total profits at 51%, while delivery services secure nearly a quarter (24%). Exporters claim 15%, leaving the actual producers with a mere 10% share. This highlights a notable economic inequality: despite South Africa producing nearly half of the world's coffee, the agricultural producers themselves receive the smallest financial return of all four industry actors.

Examiner feedback

This is an exceptional response that demonstrates a Band 9 level of English. You have not only reported the data accurately but also synthesized the information across the three different charts to provide a sophisticated analysis of the coffee industry's economic structure.

Task Achievement - 9

- The response fully satisfies all requirements of the task with a highly sophisticated overview. - All key features are expertly selected and compared (notably the link between South Africa's production and the low profit share). - Data is accurately integrated to support the analysis without being mechanical.

Coherence & Cohesion - 9

- Information and ideas are logically sequenced with a clear progression from market overview to financial specifics. - Cohesive devices are used so naturally that they are almost invisible to the reader. - Paragraphing is skillfully managed, with each paragraph focusing on a distinct aspect of the charts.

Lexical Resource - 9

- Exceptional range of vocabulary used with precision (e.g., 'upstream creators', 'downstream businesses', 'inverse relationship', 'profit allocation'). - Sophisticated collocations and idiomatic expressions are used naturally. - No spelling or word formation errors are present.

Grammatical Range & Accuracy - 9

- A wide range of complex structures is used with full flexibility and precision. - The majority of sentences are error-free, with sophisticated use of punctuation (e.g., colons to introduce explanations). - Advanced grammar such as participle phrases ('leaving the actual producers...') and passive voice are used effectively.

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