In December 2018, it was reported that the international price of a pound of coffee fell to $1, which is equivalent to a 12% drop compared to the same month in 2017.
Data from the International Coffee Organization (ICO) detail that in the last two months of last year also reported a decline in the price of the pound of coffee globally, in this case was 8% as it declined from $1.09 to $1.
The climate in Brazil was the main factor affecting the behavior of the international price of the grain in January, starting the month high and closing at $143.43 per pound.
From the Coffee Market Report - January 2015 by the International Coffee Organization (ICO):
Dry weather in Brazil at the beginning of January spurred prices higher, with the daily price of the ICO composite indicator rising from 140.57 US cents/lb to a high of 155.40 by the middle of the month. However, forecasts of rain later in the month punctured this brief rally,causing the ICO composite to fall back down to 143.43 cents by the end of January.Nevertheless, overall rainfall levels in Brazil remain below average, with the development of the 2015/16 crop now at a crucial stage. Furthermore, an infestation of coffee berry borer has led to a state of phytosanitary emergency being declared in the states of São Paulo and Espírito Santo.
In December 2014 coffee prices continued to fall, and the monthly average indicative price calculated by the International Coffee Organization was the lowest since February.
The International Coffee Organization estimates that global demand will reach 175 million sacks of 60 kilos in 2020, driven by the markets of China, South Korea and Russia.
The sophistication of consumers and a growing preference for coffee in markets such as South Korea, China and Russia will be part of the main factors driving the increase in demand for the grain in the coming years.
In 2012 the Arab country consumed more than eight million metric tons of coffee, 2.4% more than the previous year.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (Procomer):
In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) more coffee was consumed than anywhere else in the Gulf, which registered an increase of 85% in the past three years, according to the latest statistics from the International Coffee Organization (ICO).
To enhance market access domestic coffee making machine manufacturers are associating themselves with single-dose infusions.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The business of coffee capsules has shown continuous growth and leading brands have closed partnerships deals with manufacturers of coffee making machines in order to push for a larger share of the market.
Expectations for 2013 are for grain production of 10 million bags weighing 60 kilos each and a further increase is foreseen for 2014 and in the next few years.
The price indicator of the ICO composite fell by 1.4% in April, despite a brief recovery having been observed at mid-month, and recorded the lowest monthly average in three years.
Thrive Farmers Coffee pays producers 50% of the proceeds from the sale of coffee to retailers, in another example of a fair trade initiative.
According to Kenneth Lander, one of its founders, Thrive Farmers Coffee is based on the idea that farmers can "participate in the added value as the coffee goes down to the final consumer."
The Brazilian coffee crop, which could amount to more than 50 million quintals of grain, could put prices back down again.
Faced with the prospect of a bumper crop of coffee in Brazil, Raul Amador Torres, a senior market analyst says, "The international price of coffee has improved a little and might be quoted at $190 per quintal, however, the trend is that it will go down again ... "