(Yicai Global) May 30 -- Starbucks and Costa Coffee have begun to reopen their shops in Shanghai in another sign that the city, which boasts the most coffee houses in China, is starting to gradually recover from its recent Covid-19 shock.

Kris, a barista at a Costa on West Nanjing Road, told Yicai Global that his outlet is one of 10 to reopen in Shanghai. For now, he and his manager are the only two workers there, with daily turnover at between CNY5,000 and CNY6,000 (USD750 and USD900), equal to one-third of takings before the Covid outbreak. The store has most regular drinks available.

Starbucks is offering take-out services at the 55 shops it has reopened in Shanghai since May 17.

Many other foreign coffee brands are preparing to reopen or have already done so. Most staff at outlets that have reopened live on-site to provide service in line with Covid restrictions.

The arrival and delivery of coffee beans was delayed because of the resurgence of the virus, but green beans from Colombia, Panama, and other regions have recently cleared customs and some have been delivered already, Shanghai-based green bean trading platform Coffee Exchange told Yicai Global.

Coffee Exchange aims to bring more green beans from quality areas to coffee roasting brands and roasters, it said, adding that the trader expects a boom in coffee bean orders once the latest Covid-19 wave is past.

Editor: Futura Costaglione