Disclaimer

Reference information about coffee. Not commercial advice, and not a live price feed.

Prices are observations, not quotes

Every price on this site is a figure observed on a stated date under a stated basis. It is not an offer, a quotation, or an indication of what any coffee is available for now. Competition auction results in particular describe a few hundred pounds of a selected lot and are not representative of anything else, including other lots from the same farm.

Coffee prices move daily. Anyone transacting should work from a current quotation from a counterparty, not from a reference page.

Standards change, sometimes backwards

Export standards are amended, and an amendment can change what a familiar word means. Colombia’s Excelso defect tolerance moved from 1.5 per cent to 5 per cent in 2016, so the same term describes two different specifications either side of that date. Where we know of such a change we record it. Where we do not, the checked date on the record is the honest limit of what we are claiming.

Variety names are claims by sellers

Unless a record explicitly says a lot was genetically tested, a variety name is what somebody wrote down. This is not an accusation against any seller; it is how the trade operates. Do not treat a variety name as a verified attribute of anything you buy.

No professional relationship

Reading this site does not create any advisory relationship. For decisions with money attached, consult the primary source and your own advisers.