A year on from the original article, here's where things stand. The C Market (the global benchmark for arabica prices) hit an all-time high of 440.85 c/lb in February 2025, and has since eased back to around 290 c/lb. That sounds like relief, and in some ways it is. But it's still well above the long-term average, and the cost base underneath it all has shifted for good.

A few things are pointing in a better direction. Brazil's 2026/27 harvest is forecast to be a record, with some analysts tipping it above 75 million bags, and early signs from Ethiopia and Honduras look promising too. If the weather behaves over the next six months, global supply should start to rebalance.

That said, it's not a clean recovery. Freight costs began climbing again late last year, shipping lanes remain unpredictable, and the broader cost of doing business (energy, packaging, labour, insurance) keeps ticking upward. US tariffs on coffee imports caused serious disruption through much of 2025 before an exemption landed in the autumn, and the knock-on effects are still working their way through the supply chain.

The short version: prices are softening, but slowly, and the volatility isn't going anywhere. We're continuing to buy the way we always have – long relationships, fair prices at origin, and a commitment to the producers we've worked with for years. Thanks, as ever, for sticking with us.

While we strive to absorb as many of these costs as possible, maintaining quality and ethical sourcing means some price adjustments are unavoidable. By supporting specialty coffee, you’re not only enjoying a superior product but also contributing to the sustainability of the industry and the livelihoods of those who make it possible.

“We remain committed to maintaining quality and sustaining long-term, equitable relationships with both suppliers and customers,” Glew reassures. “Historically, global coffee demand has continued to grow even when market prices are high, but these unprecedented levels may well change that.”