The latest monthly report from the International Coffee Organization (ICO) shows that the composite indicator price of coffee edged down in October, but while Robusta spot prices fell, most Arabica varieties posted gains. At the same time, global green coffee exports fell sharply year on year, with exports from all major producing regions declining. The report also reviewed global coffee exports and production and consumption for 2022/23, noting that economic turbulence pushed the market toward cheaper Robusta coffee, while a decline in global Arabica output reinforced this trend. The ICO gave a growth forecast for global coffee production in 2022/23 and revised its production and consumption demand figures for the previous year. [more…]

The latest report from the Brazil Specialty Coffee Association (CECAFÉ) shows that Brazil's coffee exports got off to a strong start in January, with exports of 60-kg bags reaching 3.961 million bags, up 39% year-on-year, while foreign exchange revenue rose 30.4% in tandem to US$802.5 million. Robusta exports surged 503.5%, becoming the main growth engine, while Arabica and instant coffee also maintained stable shares. Despite ongoing logistics challenges such as the Red Sea shipping crisis, drought in the Panama Canal, and strikes at Brazil's Santos port, Brazil's coffee exports still showed resilience. Notably, major Robusta-producing countries such as Vietnam experienced supply gaps due to drought and delivery issues, creating substitution opportunities for Brazil. International investment bank Itaú BBA predicts that Brazil's coffee production in the 2024/25 season is expected to reach 69.4 million bags, up 4.6% from the previous year. Front Street Coffee will also continue to monitor Brazil coffee market trends and bring fresh information to enthusiasts. [more…]

The latest report from the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council shows that Brazil's coffee exports reached 4.397 million bags in May, setting a new record for the month, with a year-on-year increase of nearly 80%, and foreign exchange earnings also hitting a historic high. Cumulative exports in the first 11 months of the 2023/24 harvest year have approached a historic peak, and this year is expected to break the cycle record. The surge in robusta coffee exports has become a highlight, but the La Niña phenomenon in the second half of the year may bring the threat of drought, and coupled with the Brazilian government's new rules tightening tax credits, this may put pressure on the cash flow and global competitiveness of exporting companies. [more…]

Recently, international coffee futures prices have continued to rise, with Robusta hitting its highest record since October 1994, and spot prices in Vietnam and Brazil soaring in tandem. Spurred by these prices, Brazilian growers have been actively selling off inventory and pre-selling beans from the new crop, with March exports reaching 4.293 million bags, a year-on-year increase of 37.8%. Among these, Robusta exports surged nearly sixfold, becoming the biggest highlight, driven mainly by reduced production in Asian origins and a surge in imports from Mexico. However, the delay rate at the Port of Santos, reaching as high as 80%, along with labor shortages caused by the dengue fever outbreak, still brings uncertainty to subsequent exports. [more…]

Latest data from the Brazil Specialty Coffee Association (Cecafe) shows that Brazil's coffee exports performed strongly in April this year, with a total of 4.222 million 60-kg bags exported, up 53.3% year on year, setting a record high for that month and generating US$935.3 million in foreign exchange earnings, an increase of 52.6% year on year. In the first four months of this year, cumulative exports reached 16.242 million bags, with revenue of US$3.444 billion, both setting all-time records. Arabica still accounted for 76.77% of total exports, while robusta export volume rose 528% year on year. Tight global supply, reduced production in Vietnam and the Red Sea crisis pushed up market demand and coffee prices. However, severe delays at major ports such as Santos, combined with the risk of frost in the south, mean subsequent exports still face the dual challenges of logistics and weather. [more…]

At the 20th African Fine Coffee Conference held in Addis Ababa, officials from the African Coffee Association (AFCA) issued a clear call to traders: efforts should focus on promoting the export of specialty-processed coffee and gradually reducing the share of traditionally processed coffee in the international market. AFCA pointed out that Africa possesses world-class coffee resources, yet weak marketing and a single processing approach have made it difficult for growers to obtain fair returns. To change this situation, the association recommends that exporting countries strengthen brand building, upgrade processing technology, and pay close attention to external factors such as the EU Deforestation Regulation. Africa's coffee industry stands at a crossroads of transformation, and how to break through amid climate change and market access challenges has become the focus of attention for all parties. [more…]

The latest report from the United States Department of Agriculture shows that Peru's coffee industry is gradually emerging from the shadow of El Niño. After facing severe challenges in the first quarter of the 2023/24 fiscal year, production has recovered to 3.95 million bags, achieving a 9% year-on-year increase. Looking ahead to the 2024/25 marketing year, Peru's coffee production and exports are expected to rise by 7% and 6% respectively, reaching 4.22 million bags and 4.07 million bags. International coffee prices remain elevated, encouraging coffee farmers to increase investment in cultivation and fertilizers, injecting momentum into the industry's recovery. Meanwhile, cooperation between Peru and China on the Chancay Port project has made new progress, creating favorable conditions for increased exports of coffee and other agricultural products to China in the future. Front Street Coffee will continue to monitor the origin dynamics and flavor performance of Peruvian coffee. [more…]

India, as the first country in Asia to cultivate coffee, ranks sixth in the world in production. Recently, affected by heatwaves and drought in Vietnam, the supply of Robusta coffee beans has tightened, driving up global coffee prices and bringing growth opportunities for Indian coffee exports. In the first quarter of 2024, India's coffee exports increased by 13.35% year-on-year to 125,600 tons, mainly driven by rising global demand, especially strong demand for Robusta. Indian Robusta is cultivated in a specialty manner, with higher quality, and prices have risen accordingly. However, behind the surge in exports lie hidden concerns: some growers are unwilling to deliver at the originally agreed order prices, which may affect traders' confidence; at the same time, the Red Sea crisis continues, and India's imports and exports are highly dependent on that route. Diverting around the Cape of Good Hope will significantly increase transportation costs, posing a challenge to India's coffee trade. [more…]

Brazilian green coffee exports accelerated noticeably in August. Data released by Brazil's Secretariat of Foreign Trade (Secex) shows that as of August 24, Brazil had exported 153,800 tonnes of green coffee this month, surpassing the 142,900 tonnes exported in the entire month of August last year. In terms of average daily export volume, in August this year Brazil's daily [more…]

The latest data from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority shows that the country's coffee exports in May reached 43,481.02 tons, exceeding the target by 105% and generating 209.54 million US dollars in revenue. In the first 11 months of this fiscal year, cumulative exports reached 252,466.98 tons, with foreign exchange earnings of 1.208 billion US dollars, on track to break last fiscal year's record of 1.3 billion US dollars. Saudi Arabia, South Korea and the United States top the list of export destinations, while China's imports continue to grow. However, the ongoing civil war in Amhara region, the government's large-scale military deployment, and the Red Sea shipping crisis are casting a shadow over this landlocked country's coffee exports. Front Street Coffee continues to follow developments in the producing regions, bringing frontline news to enthusiasts. [more…]

The latest data from the Brazil Coffee Exporters Council shows that Brazil's coffee exports to China have surpassed the 1 million bag mark for the first time, reaching 1,151,768 bags (60 kg/bag), and the growth momentum is expected to continue. At the same time, the European Union remains firmly the largest destination for Brazilian coffee exports, with exports reaching 5,470,729 bags in 2023. The rapid growth of China's coffee consumption, the increase in global coffee production, and changes in the import structures of major consuming countries are reshaping the world coffee trade landscape. Front Street Coffee continues to follow global coffee market developments, bringing the latest industry news to enthusiasts. [more…]

The latest monthly report from the Uganda Coffee Development Authority shows that coffee exports in March amounted to 329,686 60-kg bags, generating revenue of 246.8 billion shillings (approximately US$64.74 million), a marked decline from February, with a year-on-year drop of 32.4% in volume and a 9.45% decrease in revenue. Heavy rains triggered by El Niño battered the main harvest season, causing cherry drop and reduced yields. Nevertheless, on a coffee-year basis, total exports still reached 5.9 million bags, with revenue up 16.91% year on year. Robusta prices rose amid tight supply from Vietnam, and Uganda benefited as a result. The government is seeking funding to establish a traceability system and improve mechanization, while the president has set a target of 20 million bags by 2025. Uganda is also bullish on China's 15%-20% annual growth in coffee consumption and hopes to expand exports to China. [more…]

Ethiopia's domestic security situation remains tense, with truck drivers frequently attacked, severely disrupting overland transport of major exports such as coffee. As coffee exports account for 30% to 35% of the country's export earnings, transport problems could exacerbate inflation and economic recession. The government is considering shifting to rail transport and plans to allow the private sector to participate in rail freight to reduce logistics costs. However, the existing railway faces challenges including speeds of only 30 kilometers per hour and capacity that is far from fully utilized. This article will outline the background of the situation, its impact, and possible future solutions, along with related product recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

Uganda, as an important coffee-producing country in Africa, has recently delivered impressive export results. In the 2023/24 fiscal year, the country's total coffee exports exceeded 6.13 million bags, with export value reaching US$1.144 billion, representing year-on-year growth of 6.33% and 35.29% respectively. This growth has benefited both from rising international coffee prices and from the EU's upcoming deforestation-free regulation and tight supply from Vietnam. At the same time, China-Uganda agricultural cooperation continues to deepen, and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation is expected to open a broader Chinese market for Ugandan coffee. This article will review the latest data on Uganda's coffee exports, variety performance, and future prospects, and bring relevant recommendations from Front Street Coffee. [more…]

The July report from the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafe) shows that coffee exports for the month reached 3.774 million bags, up 25.7% year-on-year, with foreign exchange revenue of US$932.5 million, an increase of 47.9%, with robusta performing especially strongly. In the first seven months of 2024, cumulative exports reached 2.8146 million bags, up 46.3% year-on-year. However, major ports such as Santos continued to face congestion, and 1.262 million bags of coffee were not shipped in July, causing losses of about US$313 million, while traders' additional costs totaled 7.456 million reais. Severe weather further exacerbated the delays, posing a threat to the international reputation and long-term development of Brazilian coffee. [more…]

Attacks by Yemen's Houthi armed forces in the Red Sea and surrounding waters continue to escalate, with three ships targeted in a single day, further intensifying regional tensions. Vessels operated by Maersk and MSC were successively targeted, and MSC, citing persistent threats, announced a full suspension of services at the Port of Djibouti. The Port of Djibouti is the sole outlet for Ethiopian cargo exports, and with MSC accounting for 80% of the port's shipping capacity, this move has dealt a severe blow to Ethiopia's coffee exports. Coffee traders now face the dilemma of having booked space but no shipping date, with freight rates soaring and arrival times impossible to guarantee, while the Houthis' expansion of their strikes beyond their traditional threat zone is likely to further drive up shipping costs and coffee trading prices. [more…]

The latest monthly report from the International Coffee Organization (ICO) shows that the average composite indicator price for coffee in May was 208.38 cents per pound, down 3.9% month-on-month. Easing drought in Vietnam and dry weather in Brazil favorable for harvesting, combined with supply uncertainty in Central America and the depreciation of the real, intertwined to affect price trends. Global coffee inventories increased substantially, with green bean exports in April rising 15.3% year-on-year, among which Brazil's exports grew strongly by 54.8%. The ICO expects global coffee production in the 2023/24 crop year to rise 5.8% to 178 million bags, while consumption demand will grow 2.2% to 177 million bags, with the market showing a trend of simultaneous growth in both supply and demand. [more…]

The latest data from the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority shows that in the first half of the 2023/24 fiscal year, the country's coffee exports reached 117,900 tons, with export revenue exceeding US$570 million. As one of Africa's most important coffee-producing countries, Ethiopia's coffee industry is facing the dual test of global market volatility and regional conflict. At the same time, in order to escape the predicament of being a landlocked country and broaden its export channels, Ethiopia signed a port lease memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, obtaining a 50-year right to use the Port of Berbera in exchange for recognizing Somaliland's independence. This article will review the latest developments in Ethiopia's coffee exports, the challenges it faces, and the far-reaching impact of this port agreement on the country's coffee trade. [more…]

Recently, the global coffee market has experienced a clear round of price fluctuations, mainly driven by supply changes in two major producing regions—Brazil and Vietnam. Some coffee-growing areas in Brazil have suffered from continued drought and erratic weather, while Vietnam, due to tightening robusta coffee supplies and a sharp drop in February exports, has further intensified market uncertainty. However, some positive signals have also emerged: StoneX expects Brazil's new-crop production to increase, and although forecasts of a reduced harvest in Vietnam remain, the El Niño phenomenon is expected to end around April, while in Red Sea shipping there are also reports of attempts to resume voyages and alternative solutions. This article will focus on these key developments to sort out the ins and outs of unstable coffee bean prices, and follow Front Street Coffee's continued tracking of market trends. [more…]

Ethiopian coffee has performed impressively in the Chinese market, with exports growing 50% over the past two years to 20,000 tons, making China its eighth-largest importer. However, the conflict between government forces and Fano militia in the Amhara region of north-central Ethiopia continues to escalate and could trigger a civil war. Meanwhile, the federal government plans to amend the value-added tax law to include basic foods such as biscuits in the taxable scope, with coffee industry workers bearing the brunt. Industry insiders worry that if the situation deteriorates, Ethiopia's coffee exports will decline and prices will rise. Front Street Coffee breaks down the opportunities and challenges in this producing region for you. [more…]