Imports of coffee hit an all-time high last year despite the nation’s economic slowdown.

In 2014, Korea imported 139,764 tons of coffee beans and powder-based materials, a 14 percent increase from 2013. The total value of imports was $595 million.

The import rate staggered a bit after the price of coffee beans rose in 2011, but has increased again since 2012.

The increase is due to the ever-growing demand for coffee in Korea with an increase in coffee shops, as well as a drop in coffee prices after the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.

According to Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp., coffee has become as much a part of daily life for Koreans as kimchi and rice, as survey results showed that the average Korean consumes coffee 12.3 times per week, more than kimchi (11.8) and local white rice (7).