Coffee

01

Market overview

Green coffee trades as two species with markets of their own: arabica, referenced to ICE's Coffee C contract in New York, and robusta — known as conilon in Brazil — referenced on ICE in London. Brazil is the world's largest producer and exporter, and Vietnam leads in robusta. The physical price is rarely just the exchange: it is the exchange plus or minus a differential that reflects origin, screen size, grade and cup quality. Specialty coffees, assessed by sensory score, form a segment of their own. For European destinations, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requires traceability down to the plot of production, with geolocation.

02

Trading forms

We cover green coffee in 60 kg bags or in bulk containers, on an FOB basis at the port of shipment — Santos is the main one in Brazil — or CFR and CIF at destination. Price can be fixed or to be fixed against the exchange, with approval on sample before shipment. The market's standard contracts — GCA in the United States, ECC in Europe — are the usual basis for terms.

03

Counterparty sought

On the sell side, producers, cooperatives and exporters with an available lot, a classification and a sample. On the buy side, roasters, importers and traders with a defined specification — species, screen, grade and cup — and a known destination. A stated interest that gives species, standard and port can be reviewed; one that only says “coffee” cannot yet.