Tag: Cecafé

Brazilian Coffee Ends 2025 with Record Revenues Exceeding $15.6 Billion

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São Paulo – Qahwa World

In a detailed economic report reflecting major shifts in global commodity markets, the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafé) announced the conclusion of 2025 with an unprecedented financial performance. Despite ongoing supply chain disruptions and geopolitical volatility, Brazil achieved a historic record in coffee export revenues, reinforcing its position as a leading force in the global agricultural economy.

  • Cecafé: The Reference Authority for Data and Policy

The Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafé) is the official body representing coffee exporters in Brazil and is responsible for monitoring coffee trade flows to more than 120 countries worldwide. According to Cecafé’s December 2025 report, these exceptional financial results demonstrate the sector’s ability to adapt to global price fluctuations, supported by strategic investments in quality enhancement and value creation for Brazilian coffee in international markets.

  • Financial Performance Analysis: Value Growth Amid Lower Volumes

Based on data analyzed by Cecafé, Brazil’s coffee export revenues reached $15.586 billion in 2025, marking a 24.1% increase compared with the previous year. This figure represents the highest export revenue level in Brazil’s coffee trade history.

Notably, this record revenue was achieved despite a 20.8% decline in shipment volumes. Brazil exported 40.049 million 60-kg bags in 2025, down from more than 50 million bags in 2024. The increase in revenues was driven by a sharp rise in the average export price, which reached $389.17 per bag, up 56.4% year on year. This pricing dynamic allowed exporters to generate higher returns with lower volumes, supporting crop sustainability and helping preserve domestic stocks affected by adverse climatic conditions.

  • A Reshaped Trade Map: Germany Takes the Lead

The year 2025 marked a significant shift in Brazil’s coffee export destinations. According to Cecafé, the United States fell to second place among Brazil’s largest coffee importers, while Germany emerged as the leading destination.

Germany imported 5.409 million bags, representing a 6.1% increase, while U.S. imports declined sharply by 33.9%, totaling 5.381 million bags. Cecafé attributes this contraction in the U.S. market primarily to the imposition of 50% import tariffs on Brazilian coffee during parts of the year, which reduced the product’s competitiveness and redirected volumes toward European and Asian markets.

In parallel, Japan recorded growth of 19.4%, while China posted a 19.5% increase, highlighting the success of Cecafé’s market diversification strategy and its focus on emerging economic powers in Asia.

  • Differentiated Coffees: Driving Qualitative Growth

Cecafé’s report also highlights the strong performance of the “Differentiated Coffees” segment, which includes coffees certified for high quality standards or sustainable production practices. This segment generated $3.525 billion in revenue, accounting for 22.6% of total export earnings.

Although shipment volumes in this category declined by 15.1%, their total value increased by 39.1%. Márcio Ferreira, President of Cecafé, noted that global consumers are increasingly willing to pay premium prices for coffees that ensure environmental and social sustainability—an area in which Brazil has strengthened its position through advanced agricultural technologies.

  • Logistics Challenges: The Cost of Success

Despite the strong financial results, 2025 was not without challenges. Cecafé reported severe logistical constraints at Brazilian ports, particularly at the Port of Santos. According to the report, 55% of vessels experienced schedule delays, disrupting the shipment of thousands of containers each month.

These delays resulted in operational losses amounting to millions of Brazilian reais, driven by demurrage charges and additional storage costs. Cecafé emphasized that improving port infrastructure and ensuring a steady supply of containers are essential to sustaining record export performance in the coming years.

  • Outlook for 2026: Sustainability and Innovation

Cecafé’s December 2025 report concludes with an optimistic outlook led by Marcos Matos, CEO of the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council. He stated that the “Cafés do Brasil” brand has become a global benchmark, successfully combining large-scale production with environmental responsibility.

According to the report, Brazil—through Cecafé—not only supplies approximately one-third of global coffee demand, but also leads efforts in agricultural digitalization, labor rights protection, and forest conservation, positioning Brazilian coffee as a reliable and sustainable choice for the future.

  • Conclusion

Generating more than $15.6 billion in export revenues in a single year is not merely a statistical milestone, but a clear indicator of the strength and global standing of Brazilian coffee. It also underscores the central role played by the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafé) in guiding the sector toward new levels of financial and professional achievement.

Brazil Coffee Export Revenue Hits Record Despite Falling Volumes

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Dubai – Qahwa World

Brazil’s coffee export revenue reached a historic high of $15.6 billion in 2025, despite a significant decline in shipment volumes, according to the latest report from Cecafé, the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council.

Released on January 19, the report shows that total coffee exports fell by more than 10 million 60-kilogram bags, dropping from a record 50,584,170 bags in 2024 to 40,049,222 bags in 2025—a decrease of over 20 percent. Even so, the 2025 figure remains higher than exports recorded in any year between 2020 and 2023.

Cecafé President Márco Ferreira attributed the surge in export earnings to steadily rising coffee prices throughout 2025. He noted that higher average monthly prices, combined with continued investment by Brazilian growers in technology, innovation, and quality, helped elevate both the standard and market value of Brazilian coffee.

The report also highlights the impact of United States tariffs, which led to a 55 percent decline in exports to the U.S. between August and November. The tariffs included a 40 percent national emergency levy, introduced on July 30, alongside a 10 percent reciprocal tariff. Both measures were lifted on November 12.

As a result of reduced U.S. demand, Germany emerged as Brazil’s largest coffee importer in 2025, followed by Italy, Japan, and Belgium.

Looking ahead, Ferreira expects Brazilian coffee exports in 2026 to once again exceed 40 million 60-kilogram bags, reinforcing the country’s position as the world’s largest coffee producer. By comparison, the record 2024 harvest generated approximately $12.5 billion in export revenue, while the 2023 crop earned $6.2 billion.

Brazilians Celebrate as Trump Cancels Coffee Tariffs

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Brazilian coffee exporters celebrated Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the removal of additional import tariffs on coffee, which had been set at 40% in July.

Cecafé, Brazil’s coffee exporters council, called the tariff hike “a complete loss of competitiveness.”

“The tariff reversal comes after months of intense work representing the interests of Brazilian coffee. It is a historic victory for the entire coffee agribusiness production chain,” the council said in a statement.

Brazil has long been a major supplier of coffee and beef to the United States. On Thursday, Trump lifted tariffs on Brazilian goods as part of an effort to lower consumer costs for Americans. The decision affected coffee, fruit, and beef, among other products.

The U.S. leader had initially imposed additional import taxes on Brazilian goods, citing trade practices he deemed unfair, as well as the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was later sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting to stage a coup after losing the 2022 election.

Before the tariffs, U.S. government data showed Brazil, the world’s top coffee producer, supplied about 30% of the American market, followed by Colombia at roughly 20% and Vietnam at about 10%.

“The removal of the 40% tariff imposed by the U.S. government on several Brazilian agricultural products is a victory for dialogue, diplomacy, and common sense,” Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Thursday on X. He shared a video reacting to Trump’s order, expressing his satisfaction with the decision.

Trump and Lula have been negotiating trade terms, which could lead to further reductions in tariffs. Lula also praised “the frank dialogue” with Trump and confirmed that Brazil would continue discussions to strengthen bilateral trade.

Rain Forecasts in Brazil Pressure Arabica Coffee Prices Despite Tight Global Supply

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Arabica coffee prices fell sharply on Thursday as forecasts of much-needed rainfall in Brazil’s key coffee-growing regions eased concerns about prolonged dryness that had recently pushed prices higher. Meanwhile, robusta prices edged up, supported by steady demand and limited inventories.

On the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), December arabica (KCZ25) closed down –7.85 cents (–2.04%) at 297.05 U.S. cents per pound, while November robusta (RMX25) gained +26 points (+0.57%), reaching a three-week high.

Brazil Weather Outlook

According to Brazilian meteorological agency Climatempo, parts of Minas Gerais — the country’s largest arabica-producing region — could receive up to 30 millimeters of rain this week, a “significant amount” expected to promote flowering for the 2026/27 crop cycle. The prospect of rainfall led to profit-taking after recent price gains fueled by drought concerns.

Earlier this week, Somar Meteorologia reported that Minas Gerais received only 0.9 millimeters of rain during the week ended October 4 — just 3% of the historical average — raising fears of poor flowering and lower yields before these latest forecasts.

Inventory and Trade Developments

While weather news weighed on prices, global supply signals remained tight. ICE-monitored arabica inventories fell to a 1.5-year low of 519,534 bags on Thursday, while robusta inventories hit a 2.5-month low of 6,237 lots. The sharp drawdown is partly linked to the 50% tariff on U.S. imports of Brazilian coffee, which has caused American buyers to void new contracts and tightened U.S. supplies. Brazil accounts for around one-third of America’s unroasted coffee imports.

At the same time, the International Coffee Organization (ICO) reported that global coffee exports for the current marketing year (Oct–Aug) rose by 0.2% year on year to 127.92 million bags, indicating adequate supply in the short term but little room for further tightening.

Production and Export Trends

Brazil’s crop forecaster Conab recently revised down its 2025 arabica crop estimate by 4.9% to 35.2 million bags (from 37 million in May) and cut total coffee output to 55.2 million bags (from 55.7 million). Meanwhile, Cecafé, the Brazilian exporters’ association, said coffee shipments fell 21% in the first seven months of the year to 22.2 million bags and plunged 28% in July alone.

In contrast, Vietnam — the world’s largest producer of robusta — is seeing strong growth. The Vietnam National Statistics Office reported that coffee exports from January to September 2025 rose 10.9% to 1.23 million metric tons, with the 2025/26 harvest expected to increase 6% to 1.76 million tons (29.4 million bags), a four-year high.

Global Outlook

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) forecasts global coffee production in 2025/26 to reach a record 178.68 million bags, up 2.5% year on year. Within that total, arabica output is expected to decline 1.7% to 97.02 million bags, while robusta is projected to rise 7.9% to 81.65 million bags. Ending stocks are forecast to increase by 4.9% to 22.82 million bags.

However, trader Volcafe projects a global arabica deficit of 8.5 million bags for 2025/26 — wider than the 5.5 million bag deficit in 2024/25 — marking the fifth consecutive year of shortfall.

Adding to market uncertainty, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on September 16 raised the probability of a La Niña event between October and December to 71%. Such conditions can cause dry weather in South America and potentially damage Brazil’s next coffee crop, maintaining a tense balance between short-term relief and long-term risk.

Market Summary

For now, traders remain focused on Brazil’s rainfall patterns and their impact on flowering and yields. If forecasted rains fail to materialize, a renewed price rebound could follow as concerns about crop development resurface. Conversely, consistent rainfall in October could alleviate some supply pressures and bring temporary stability to arabica prices.

Tightening ICE Stocks Push Coffee Futures Higher

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Dubai – Qahwa World

Global coffee futures climbed as stocks registered on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) continued to shrink, tightening availability and pushing traders to reprice risk. December Arabica (KCZ25) rose about 1.78%, while November Robusta (RMX25) gained roughly 1.9%, reflecting increased buying interest across both contracts.

The market has been reacting to a notable decline in ICE-tracked inventories: Arabica holdings dropped to roughly 534,665 bags, a low not seen in about 18 months, and Robusta balances fell to near 6,237 lots, the lowest in a few months. A major contributor to tighter U.S. supplies has been new trade barriers: a 50% tariff on Brazilian coffee imports has prompted some American buyers to cancel or delay contracts, and because Brazil supplies about one-third of U.S. unroasted coffee, the effect has been pronounced.

Weather worries have compounded supply concerns. Key Arabica zones in Brazil — notably Minas Gerais — received barely measurable rainfall in early October, raising alarms about the crop’s flowering stage for 2026/27. Forecasters have also increased the odds of a La Niña episode through the October–December window, a pattern that can bring drier conditions to Brazil and add further downside pressure to yields.

Still, the global picture contains mixed signals. The International Coffee Organization reported a small year-on-year rise in exports for the current marketing window, pointing to continuing flows of coffee around the world. At the same time, Vietnam’s strong Robusta shipments — up double digits year-to-date — are helping keep robusta markets supplied.

Brazilian crop agencies and exporters have trimmed recent estimates or recorded export slowdowns: domestic forecasts for Arabica output have been revised lower and export volumes in some months have fallen sharply from year-earlier levels. Conversely, U.S. Department of Agriculture outlooks point to a modest increase in total world production for 2025/26, driven largely by a stronger Robusta harvest, while some trade houses continue to flag an Arabica shortfall.

The interplay of shrinking registered stocks, tariff-driven trade shifts and weather risks leaves prices vulnerable to swings — and keeps market attention trained on inventories, crop forecasts and buyer behavior in the coming weeks.

Coffee Prices Retreat on Rain Forecasts for Brazil

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Coffee prices fell for the second consecutive day on Tuesday as forecasts pointed to rain across key coffee-growing regions in Brazil, easing previous concerns over dry conditions.

December arabica coffee (KCZ25) closed down 1.56% at –5.95, while November ICE robusta (RMX25) slipped 1.27% to –57. According to Climatempo, rainfall is expected to spread from São Paulo to Minas Gerais this week, with some regions receiving over 30 mm of precipitation — a welcome relief for farmers during the critical flowering stage of the 2026/27 crop.

The decline follows Monday’s report from the International Coffee Organization (ICO) showing that global coffee exports between October 2024 and August 2025 rose 0.2% year-on-year to 127.92 million bags, signaling abundant global supply.

Robusta prices also faced pressure from Vietnam, where the National Statistics Office reported that coffee exports from January to September 2025 surged 10.9% to 1.23 million metric tons (MMT), reinforcing supply-driven headwinds.

Just days earlier, coffee prices had hit two-week highs on worries about dry weather in Brazil. Somar Meteorologia reported that Minas Gerais — the nation’s largest arabica region — received only 0.9 mm of rain in the week ending October 4, representing just 3% of the historical average.

Adding to the market’s complexity, U.S. tariffs on Brazilian imports have tightened supply in the American market. The 50% tariff, imposed earlier this year, has led to a sharp drawdown in ICE-monitored inventories, with arabica stocks dropping to a 1.5-year low of 534,665 bags, and robusta stocks to a 2.5-month low of 6,293 lots. Roughly one-third of unroasted coffee consumed in the U.S. originates from Brazil, intensifying the domestic supply strain.

Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) raised the likelihood of a La Niña event in the southern hemisphere to 71% for October–December 2025, potentially signaling drier conditions in Brazil later this year.

Brazil’s national crop forecasting agency Conab recently trimmed its 2025 arabica estimate by 4.9%, down to 35.2 million bags, and revised its total coffee production forecast to 55.2 million bags — a modest decrease from 55.7 million in May.

Earlier, Cecafé, Brazil’s coffee exporters’ council, reported that the country’s July exports fell 28% to 2.7 million bags, bringing total shipments for January–July 2025 down 21% year-on-year to 22.2 million bags.

On the other hand, Vietnam — the world’s largest producer of robusta — is expected to harvest a 4-year-high crop of 1.76 MMT (29.4 million bags) in the 2025/26 season, up 6% year-on-year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) projects global coffee production for 2025/26 to grow 2.5% year-on-year to a record 178.68 million bags, driven by a 7.9% increase in robusta output to 81.66 million bags, while arabica output is forecast to decline 1.7% to 97.02 million bags. FAS expects ending stocks to climb 4.9% to 22.82 million bags.

Despite these figures, Volcafe foresees a global arabica deficit of 8.5 million bags for 2025/26 — the fifth consecutive year of shortage — widening from 5.5 million bags last season.

Brazil Set to Overtake Vietnam as the World’s Largest Robusta Coffee Producer

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Brazil is on track to surpass Vietnam as the world’s leading producer of robusta coffee, according to a new report by Dutch bank Rabobank. The report highlights Brazil’s growing advantage due to robusta’s resilience to heat, drought, and disease — key traits as climate change increasingly threatens arabica production.

Rabobank estimates Brazil’s robusta output will reach 24.7 million 60-kg bags in 2025, up from 19 million bags in 2020. Meanwhile, Vietnam is projected to produce around 30 million bags in 2025/26, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Unlike arabica, which offers a milder flavor and is favored by premium brands such as Starbucks and Nespresso, robusta has a stronger taste and higher caffeine content. It is mainly used in instant coffee, espresso blends, and iced beverages.

Over the past five decades, temperatures in Brazil’s key coffee regions have risen by 1.3 to 1.6°C, while rainfall has decreased by up to 211 millimeters. To adapt, Brazilian farmers have increasingly relied on irrigation — now covering 71% of robusta farms — with this figure projected to reach 363,800 hectares by 2040.

Although the initial investment in robusta plantations is high (around $15,700 per hectare), its productivity is 170% higher per hectare than arabica, enabling cost recovery in about four years, Rabobank said.

The report also noted that Brazil has about 28 million hectares of degraded pastureland suitable for deforestation-free agricultural expansion, creating significant room for robusta growth.

Additionally, the EU’s exemption of instant coffee from deforestation regulations could boost global demand for robusta-based products, further accelerating Brazil’s rise in production.

August Export and Market Update

In August 2025, Brazil exported 3.1 million bags (60kg) of coffee — down 17.5% year-on-year (YOY) but up 14.3% compared to July, according to data from Cecafé. Despite the monthly recovery, exporters continue to face difficulties due to adverse weather conditions affecting the arabica harvest and the 50% U.S. tariff introduced in August. Moreover, even with a good harvest pace, coffee has been taking longer to reach exporters this year.

Exports to the United States dropped 46% YOY and 26% from July, totaling 301,000 bags. Despite the sharp decline, the U.S. remained Brazil’s second-largest destination, behind Germany, and continues to be the world’s top coffee importer in 2025.

The barter ratio — the amount of coffee needed to purchase one metric ton of fertilizer — improved significantly in August. Only 1.2 bags (60kg) were required to buy one ton of fertilizer (blend 20-05-20), down 29% from August 2024 (1.7 bags) and 26% from July (1.6 bags). The improvement was driven by rising coffee prices and falling fertilizer prices, particularly for urea, boosting producer profitability.

After several months of decline, coffee prices rebounded sharply in August, with arabica up 31% and conilon (robusta) up 32%. The price rally was fueled by slower Brazilian exports and low global inventories, while the new U.S. tariffs added further volatility. The move has prompted U.S. roasters to seek alternative supply sources. In the short term, the U.S. industry is expected to rely on existing inventories while awaiting potential tariff renegotiations. One immediate workaround has been the use of bonded warehouses, which allow coffee storage without immediate tariff payments. Since the tariff announcement on July 9, certified stocks in New York have fallen by 157,000 bags.

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) has also influenced trade flows. Anticipating compliance challenges, European buyers increased imports early in 2024, and a similar pattern is expected in the second half of 2025. Data shows that European coffee inventories have been building in recent months.

Weather conditions in August were seasonally dry, which supported the near-complete harvest. However, frost affected some arabica-producing regions, particularly in Cerrado Mineiro, where local cooperatives estimate potential losses of around 412,000 bags for the 2026 crop. While this raises concerns for the next harvest, analysts say the 2026/27 arabica and conilon cycle remains positive overall. In the coming weeks, market attention will turn to rainfall and flowering, as any threat to crop potential could further support coffee price gains.

Brazil Estimates Coffee Export Losses at $196.5 Million

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Cecafé: Brazilian coffee exporters lost nearly $200 million in July 2025

Dubai, September 3, 2025 (Qahwa World) – Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer and exporter, has faced severe challenges due to disruptions in its port infrastructure. According to the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafé), total exporter losses in July 2025 amounted to $196.5 million.

Cecafé reported that overloaded and strained port facilities caused massive delays and forced changes in shipping routes. As a result, more than 598.7 thousand 60-kg bags of coffee could not be shipped in July. The average value of a bag was $385.4, while the longest idle period reached 35 days. In total, exporters lost the equivalent of 1.1 billion reals ($196.5 million), and shipments to the global market fell by 27%, dropping to 164 thousand tons.

Beyond logistical problems, Brazilian farmers also faced prolonged frosts. Experts warned that these unfavorable weather conditions triggered stress flowering, which could negatively impact not only the 2025 harvest but also next year’s production.

The disruptions in Brazil and Vietnam have already intensified pressure on the global coffee market. In New York, arabica prices rose to a two-month high in July, while in London, on November 27, the January futures price for robusta reached $5,547.5 per ton (+7.55%), setting a record since at least January 2008, according to ICE Futures.

Luza Baiguzina, Associate Professor at IMES, previously warned that difficulties with exports from Brazil and Vietnam could push coffee prices in Russia up by as much as 20% in 2026.

Arabica Coffee Slips as Brazil’s Harvest Nears Completion

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Dubai, August 27, 2025 (Qahwa World) – Arabica coffee futures fell on Tuesday as pressure from Brazil’s near-complete harvest weighed on the market, while robusta prices gained on tightening supply signals. On the ICE exchange, December arabica coffee (KCZ25) closed down 1.44% at -5.45, while November robusta (RMU25) climbed 0.86% (+40). The divergence reflects the complex forces shaping global coffee markets at the end of August.

Brazil’s influential Cooxupé cooperative announced that as of August 22, its members had completed 91.3% of their 2025/26 harvest, signaling an abundant flow of fresh beans into the market. Independent consultancy Safras & Mercado reported even higher progress, noting 99% of Brazil’s harvest complete, including 100% of robusta and 98% of arabica. Such rapid progress has increased selling pressure, pushing arabica futures lower despite ongoing concerns about weather damage in Minas Gerais, the country’s top arabica-growing region. Somar Meteorologia reported no rainfall in the week ending August 23, following frost damage earlier in the month.

Counterbalancing the harvest pressure, exchange-monitored stocks remain tight. ICE arabica inventories dropped to a 1.25-year low of 717,113 bags, while robusta inventories fell to a one-month low of 6,614 lots, underpinning prices. Additional upward pressure stems from U.S. market disruptions, where buyers are canceling contracts for Brazilian coffee following the imposition of 50% tariffs on Brazilian exports. With Brazil supplying nearly one-third of unroasted beans to the U.S., the restrictions are tightening American supplies.

Brazil’s July export data highlighted another bullish element. The Trade Ministry reported a 20.4% year-on-year decline in unroasted coffee exports to 161,000 metric tons. Exporter group Cecafé confirmed the trend, citing a 28% fall in green coffee exports to 2.4 million bags. Arabica shipments dropped 21%, while robusta exports plunged 49% compared to July 2024. For the first seven months of 2025, Cecafé recorded a 21% decline in Brazil’s overall coffee exports, totaling 22.2 million bags.

Global indicators, however, showed a mixed picture. The International Coffee Organization reported that global June exports rose 7.3% year-on-year, reaching 11.69 million bags, although October–June cumulative exports slipped slightly by 0.2%. In Vietnam, drought weighed heavily on 2023/24 production, which fell 20% to 1.47 million metric tons, the smallest crop in four years. Exports also slumped 17% in 2024, though this year’s January–July shipments rose 6.9%.

Looking ahead, the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service projects record global coffee production in 2025/26 at 178.68 million bags, led by a 7.9% increase in robusta output. Arabica production, however, is expected to decline by 1.7% to 97 million bags. Despite this, traders remain cautious, as Volcafé forecasts an arabica deficit of 8.5 million bags in 2025/26, marking the fifth consecutive year of supply shortfalls, compared with a 5.5 million bag deficit in the current cycle.

Global Coffee Prices Surge as Brazil Faces Weather Woes and US Tariffs

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São Paulo, August 25, 2025 (Qahwa World) – Coffee markets remain under heavy pressure from climate shocks in Brazil and trade tensions with the United States, pushing prices sharply higher in recent weeks, even as a stronger U.S. dollar triggered modest profit-taking on Monday.

Arabica futures in New York had surged to a 3.5-month high earlier in the day but ended lower, with December contracts closing down 0.15% after investors booked profits. September robusta contracts were idle due to a UK holiday. Analysts said the dollar’s strength spurred liquidation, though underlying supply concerns continue to dominate the market.

In Brazil, retail coffee prices that had fallen an average of 12% earlier in August are now expected to reverse course. According to the Brazilian Coffee Industry Association (ABIC), raw coffee prices rose almost 25% between July and August, reaching 2,191 reais ($395) per 60-kilogram bag. Despite this surge, supermarket prices in August averaged 58.99 reais (around $10) per kilogram, still below May’s peak of 70 reais/kg. ABIC’s executive director, Celirio Inacio, warned that if futures remain elevated, higher shelf prices are “inevitable.”

The main external factor driving the rally remains the 50% tariff imposed by the U.S. government on Brazilian goods, including coffee. Brazil normally supplies about one-third of U.S. unroasted coffee imports, and American buyers have already begun canceling contracts. Marcio Ferreira, president of Brazil’s Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafé), called the tariffs “the main driver” of the sharp price increases in New York.

Weather concerns add another layer of pressure. Somar Meteorologia reported that Minas Gerais, Brazil’s largest arabica-producing state, received no rainfall in the week ending August 23. Frost damage earlier in the month has also raised fears of reduced yields. Despite this, Brazil’s 2025/26 harvest is almost complete: Safras & Mercado estimated 99% of the crop had been gathered by August 20, with robusta fully harvested and arabica at 98%. Cooxupé, the country’s largest cooperative, reported its members’ harvest at 86.1% by mid-August.

Exports are slowing dramatically. Brazil’s July shipments of unroasted coffee dropped 20.4% year-on-year to 161,000 metric tons, while Cecafé data showed green coffee exports fell 28% to 2.4 million bags. Arabica exports fell 21%, robusta plunged 49%, and total shipments from January through July were down 21% from last year at 22.2 million bags. Meanwhile, inventories tracked by ICE remain at multi-year lows: arabica stocks hit a 15-month low of 726,661 bags in mid-August, while robusta fell to its lowest in four weeks.

Global dynamics reflect the same strain. The USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) projects world coffee production in 2025/26 will rise 2.5% year-on-year to a record 178.7 million bags, with robusta up nearly 8% but arabica slightly down. Brazil’s production is forecast to rise only 0.5% to 65 million bags, while Vietnam could rebound 6.9% to 31 million bags, its largest in four years. Yet despite the higher output, trading house Volcafe predicts an arabica deficit of 8.5 million bags for 2025/26 — the fifth consecutive year of shortfalls.

Brazil, as the world’s top coffee producer and exporter and the second-largest consumer after the United States, stands at the center of these global shifts. With tariffs restricting trade, exports slowing, inventories tightening, and weather threats mounting, analysts warn that consumers should brace for rising retail coffee prices both domestically and worldwide — even if day-to-day trading sometimes pulls prices lower.

Brazil Weather and U.S. Tariffs Drive Coffee Prices to Multi-Month Highs

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Dubai, August 19, 2025 (Qahwa World) – Coffee prices surged on Tuesday, with arabica futures climbing to a 2.25-month high and robusta reaching a two-month high, supported by dry conditions in Brazil’s key growing regions and tightening U.S. supplies following new tariffs on Brazilian coffee.

September arabica coffee (KCU25) rose 1.85% (+6.35¢/lb), while September ICE robusta (RMU25) gained 4.04% (+$168). The rise reflects mounting concern over Brazil’s weather, particularly in Minas Gerais, the country’s largest arabica-producing state, where Somar Meteorologia reported no rainfall during the week ending August 16.

Market support is also coming from the United States, where buyers are avoiding new contracts for Brazilian coffee due to a 50% tariff imposed on imports. Brazil typically supplies about one-third of U.S. unroasted coffee, making the tariff impact significant for roasters and traders.

Brazil’s July export figures further underscored supply concerns. According to the Trade Ministry, unroasted coffee exports fell 20.4% year-on-year to 161,000 metric tons. Exporter group Cecafé reported that green coffee shipments dropped 28% y/y to 2.4 million bags, while total coffee exports fell to 2.7 million bags. From January to July, Brazil’s overall exports declined 21% to 22.2 million bags.

Certified exchange inventories remain tight. ICE arabica stocks fell to a 1.25-year low of 726,661 bags on August 14 before recovering slightly to 733,105 bags this week. ICE robusta stocks dropped to a three-week low of 6,749 lots, down from late-July’s two-year high of 7,029 lots.

On the supply side, Brazil’s 2025/26 coffee harvest is advancing. Research firm Safras & Mercado estimates the crop was 94% complete as of August 6, with robusta nearly finished (99%) and arabica at 91%. Cooxupé, Brazil’s largest coffee cooperative, reported its members had completed 80.4% of their harvest by August 8.

Beyond Brazil, Vietnam’s coffee industry continues to influence robusta prices. Drought reduced 2023/24 production by 20% y/y to 1.47 million metric tons, the lowest in four years, while 2024 exports fell 17.1% to 1.35 million metric tons. However, recovery signs emerged with January–July 2025 exports up 6.9% y/y to 1.05 million metric tons.

The International Coffee Organization (ICO) reported that global coffee exports in June rose 7.3% y/y to 11.69 million bags, though October–June totals slipped 0.2% to 104.14 million bags.

Looking ahead, the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) projects 2025/26 world coffee production at a record 178.7 million bags, up 2.5% year-on-year. Arabica output is expected to fall 1.7% to 97 million bags, while robusta is forecast to rise 7.9% to nearly 82 million bags. Ending stocks are projected to grow 4.9% to 22.8 million bags.

However, trader Volcafe sees a very different balance: a global arabica deficit of 8.5 million bags in 2025/26, the fifth consecutive year of shortages and larger than the 5.5 million bag deficit recorded in 2024/25. This highlights continued market tightness despite record overall supply projections.