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Kuala Lumpur: Coffee culture among the young and professionals in the country has led to the mushrooming of concept-style coffee outlets and cafes and this creates business opportunities to cater to the increasing demand.According to market report released by Euromonitor International, Malaysian coffee industry was likely to see positive growth, boosted by young consumers' demand for convenient and fashionable products.

The report said that increasing urbanisation in Malaysia and the changes in lifestyles due to the opening up of the economy would influence buyers' decisions and it was likely to remain strong in the forecast period due to the changing drinks preferences of Malaysians.

Malaysia Specialty Coffee Association (MSCA) president, Victor Leong, said the industry was expected to grow and local coffee shops would be sustained for a long period based on the trend that hit the region, especially South Korea and Singapore.

"The increasing number of coffee outlets and local cafes has been spotted in Penang and Kuala Lumpur and we see this emerging trend would stay for a long time," he told Bernama recently.

Leong said the newly-set up MSCA expected the self-supply of roasted coffee beans by the owners would drive the growth.

"Cafe owners do not rely hundred per cent on the roasted coffee beans by the international suppliers.

"They get the coffee supply from independent distributors or purchase green beans and roast them by themselves using micro roaster," Leong said.

On the coffee penetration rate, Leong said the culture was warming up.

A local daily has reported that coffee did not have the highest penetration rate in the local beverages market but was a strong second or third segment.

It said the household penetration was about 65 per cent and growing.

Meanwhile, the Cafe Malaysia 2015 exhibition, which will be held on May 7-9, 2015, would showcase equipment, machinery, accessories and other supplies and products.

"The exhibition will act as a platform for the industry where the players are going to meet potential suppliers, be it local or international," he said. -Bernama