Global Coffee Industry Faces Price Fluctuations and Innovation on International Coffee Day

International Coffee Day Highlights Industry Collaboration and Challenges

October 1, 2025, marks International Coffee Day, celebrated globally to honor the coffee sector’s diversity and the millions of farmers dependent on it. The International Coffee Organization (ICO) emphasizes collaboration for collective action as the 2024 campaign theme, underlining sustainable development across the coffee value chain. This year’s focus aligns with the United Nations’ designation of 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, promoting unity in the coffee sector (International Coffee Organization, 1 October 2025).

Coffee Prices Experience Mixed Movements Amid Weather and Tariff Pressures

Coffee prices today show contrasting trends. In Vietnam’s Central Highlands, domestic coffee prices dropped slightly to between 114,300 and 116,000 VND/kg, a decrease of 1,000 VND/kg attributed to the rainy season improving crop conditions. However, futures prices on global exchanges rose, with Robusta November 2025 contracts increasing by 1.82% to $4,262/ton on the London Stock Exchange and Arabica December 2025 contracts up 1.91% to 379.3 US cents/pound on the New York Stock Exchange. These fluctuations reflect ongoing supply chain dynamics, including weather impacts in Brazil and Vietnam (baonghean.vn, 1 October 2025).

Meanwhile, in the United States, coffee prices near record highs due to supply disruptions, adverse weather in major producing countries, and increased tariffs. The Trump administration’s tariffs, including a 50% tariff on Brazilian coffee imports, have contributed significantly to price increases alongside production challenges in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brazil. Experts note that these factors have led to a stair-step pattern in coffee prices, with tariffs amplifying recent upward trends (FOX13 News, 1 October 2025).

Innovation in Coffee Varieties Responds to Climate Challenges

As climate change threatens traditional coffee-growing regions, research into alternative coffee species gains momentum. Experts highlight stenophylla, a lesser-known species from Sierra Leone, which tolerates higher temperatures and offers a taste profile similar to arabica. While still under cultivation trials, it holds promise for future resilience. Other species like excelsa and liberica are also gaining renewed interest for their climate resilience. Additionally, robusta coffee’s share of global production has increased from about 25% in the early 1990s to over 45% today, reflecting adaptation strategies in the industry (KPBS, 30 September 2025).

Specialty Coffee Farms Embrace Volunteer Harvest Models

In Vietnam, specialty coffee farms have started recruiting volunteers for the October to January harvest season, offering hands-on experience from harvesting to processing. This initiative addresses labor shortages caused by the challenging terrain and manual harvesting requirements, while providing knowledge transfer and additional workforce support for farm owners (baonghean.vn, 1 October 2025).

National Recognition of Coffee’s Importance

Liberia’s President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has officially declared October 1, 2025, as “Global Coffee Day,” urging citizens to recognize the sector’s economic and social significance. This proclamation aligns with the global celebration and underscores coffee’s role in national economies (Government of the Republic of Liberia, 1 October 2025).