Coffee Prices Drop on Brazil Weather and Rising Stocks

Dubai – Qahwa World

Coffee markets fell on Wednesday amid favorable weather forecasts in Brazil and rising inventories monitored by the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).

May arabica futures (KCK26) were down 8.70 points (-2.94%), while May ICE robusta (RMK26) declined 137 points (-3.71%). Showers expected in key Brazilian coffee-growing regions supported the recent price drop.

ICE data shows that arabica inventories, which fell to a 1.75-year low of 396,513 bags in November, recovered to a five-month high of 564,626 bags on Tuesday. Robusta inventories also rose to a 3.5-month peak before falling slightly to 4,563 lots as of Wednesday.

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Coffee prices had partially retraced last week’s rally triggered by the Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which increased global shipping rates, fuel, and insurance costs.

Brazil’s exports also influenced the market. According to Cecafe, February green coffee shipments fell by 27% year-on-year, while the Trade Ministry reported a 17.4% decline to 142,000 metric tons. Conversely, recent rains in Minas Gerais—the country’s largest arabica-producing state—amounted to 14.9 mm last week, about 35% of the historical average, offering some support to crop expectations.

Earlier in February, coffee prices hit multi-month lows amid forecasts of a record Brazilian crop. Conab projected Brazil’s 2026 coffee output at 66.2 million bags, with arabica rising 23.2% to 44.1 million bags and robusta up 6.3% to 22.1 million bags. Global production for 2026/27 is expected to reach 180 million bags, according to Rabobank.

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Vietnam’s coffee exports further pressured robusta prices. The National Statistics Office reported a 14% year-on-year rise to 366,000 MT for January–February 2026, while 2025 exports jumped 17.5% to 1.58 million MT. Production in 2025/26 is forecast to reach 1.76 million MT, a four-year high.

Despite these factors, the International Coffee Organization (ICO) noted a slight 0.3% year-on-year decline in global coffee exports for the current marketing year. The USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service projects 2025/26 global production at 178.848 million bags, with arabica down 4.7% to 95.515 million bags and robusta up 10.9% to 83.333 million bags. Brazil’s production is expected to fall 3.1% to 63 million bags, while Vietnam rises 6.2% to 30.8 million bags. Ending stocks are forecast to decline 5.4% to 20.148 million bags.

Analysts say the combination of Brazilian rainfall, rising ICE inventories, and record production in Vietnam is likely to maintain downward pressure on coffee prices in the near term.

Coffee Prices Rise Amid Surging Shipping Costs

Dubai – Qahwa World

Coffee markets saw gains on Wednesday, with May arabica (KCK26) climbing +3.10 (+1.09%) and May robusta (RMK26) rising +29 (+1.78%).

Analysts attribute the rebound to supply-side concerns. The ongoing conflict in Iran has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, driving up global freight rates, insurance costs, and fuel expenses—factors that are expected to push costs higher for coffee importers and roasters.

Meanwhile, favorable weather in Brazil is supporting the country’s coffee crop but is acting as a bearish influence on prices. Somar Meteorologia reported that Minas Gerais, Brazil’s largest arabica-growing region, received 78 mm of rainfall in the week ending February 20, 131% of the historical average.

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Despite this, coffee prices had sharply declined over the past five weeks, with arabica hitting a 15-month low last Tuesday and robusta dropping to a 6.75-month low last Monday. Brazil’s crop forecasts show strong production ahead: the national agency Conab predicts 2026 coffee output will reach a record 66.2 million bags, up +17.2% year-on-year. Arabica production is expected at 44.1 million bags (+23.2% y/y), and robusta at 22.1 million bags (+6.3% y/y).

On a global scale, Rabobank projects coffee production in 2026/27 to hit 180 million bags, an increase of 8 million bags from the previous year.

Vietnam, the largest robusta producer, is also contributing to market pressure. January coffee exports surged +38.3% y/y to 198,000 metric tons, while total 2025 exports jumped +17.5% y/y to 1.58 MMT. Vietnam’s 2025/26 production is projected to reach 1.76 MMT (29.4 million bags), a four-year high.

Inventory dynamics are mixed. ICE-monitored arabica stocks, which fell to a 1.75-year low of 396,513 bags on November 18, have rebounded to a four-and-three-quarter-month high of 528,028 bags. Robusta inventories also recovered to a 3.25-month high of 4,721 lots after hitting a 14-month low in December.

Brazilian exports, however, fell sharply in January, with 141,000 MT shipped (-42.4% y/y), while Colombia’s smaller output supports price levels. The National Federation of Coffee Growers reported that January arabica production fell -34% y/y to 893,000 bags.

The International Coffee Organization noted a slight global export decline for the marketing year (Oct-Sep) of -0.3% y/y to 138.658 million bags. USDA forecasts for 2025/26 show total world coffee production rising +2.0% y/y to a record 178.848 million bags. Arabica output is expected to fall -4.7% to 95.515 million bags, while robusta climbs +10.9% to 83.333 million bags. Brazil’s production is projected at 63 million bags (-3.1%), and Vietnam’s at 30.8 million bags (+6.2%). Ending stocks are forecast to decline -5.4% to 20.148 million bags.