Global Coffee Roundup: August 18–24, 2026
- ADITYA Kumar
- 10 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Coffee markets stayed restless this week, with arabica swinging sharply between supply worries and improving harvest expectations. Brazil’s crop moved closer to completion, Vietnam continued to send strong export volumes, and India’s coffee belt faced a difficult combination of uneven rain and pest pressure.
Away from the commodity exchanges, the coffee industry kept expanding across Asia, while new funding, leadership changes and a busy calendar of trade shows pointed to a sector that’s still growing despite higher costs and climate uncertainty.
Market watch
Arabica: a volatile week
Arabica futures moved through a particularly wide range between August 18 and 24.
The benchmark US Coffee C contract closed at around 332.45 US cents per pound on August 18.
Prices then climbed to approximately 363.6 cents per pound on August 20.
The market pulled back sharply to around 324.9 cents per pound on August 21.
On August 24, the September 2026 contract was reported at about 377.75 cents per pound, while the December contract settled closer to 341.65 cents per pound.
The difference between contract months is important: nearby contracts were influenced by tight short-term availability, while later contracts reflected expectations of improved supply once the Brazilian harvest moved fully into the export pipeline.
Robusta: pressure from exports
London robusta was also volatile, although the market faced more direct pressure from strong Vietnamese shipments.
The September robusta contract closed near $3,739 per tonne on August 18.
By August 21, it had fallen to approximately $3,598 per tonne.
An August 24 intraday quote placed the contract near $3,574 per tonne.
The broader picture remains mixed. Nearby supply is still relatively tight, but Vietnam’s export flow is helping to ease some concerns. For roasters and buyers, the week was another reminder that futures prices can respond quickly to weather reports, logistics updates and inventory changes.
Brazil: harvest enters its final stretch
Brazil’s 2026/27 harvest was estimated to be around 90% complete by August 12, according to Safras & Mercado. That’s a strong level of progress, but it remains behind both last year’s pace and the five-year average.
Arabica was lagging more noticeably:
Around 86% of the arabica crop had been harvested by mid-August.
Conilon, Brazil’s robusta variety, was close to completion.
Cooxupé reported that around 81.1% of its member harvest was complete by August 14, compared with 86.1% at the same point last year.
Drier weather helped picking accelerate, but earlier rainfall in Minas Gerais had slowed harvesting, drying and the movement of fresh lots. This delay has kept available inventories relatively tight even though Brazil is expected to produce a large crop.
Brazil had already shipped more than 1.2 million bags during August by August 14, including arabica, conilon and soluble coffee. The export pace was firm, but the full effect of the new crop hadn’t yet reached the market.
Colombia: recovery after the earthquake, with El Niño on the radar
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10 continued to affect the country’s coffee regions this week. The strongest immediate concerns involved roads, landslides and access to rural communities.
Buenaventura, Colombia’s main Pacific port, experienced disruption while infrastructure was assessed. However, the National Federation of Coffee Growers said exports were continuing, with shipments redirected mainly through Caribbean ports.
For the coffee sector, the effects are likely to be uneven:
Damaged roads may make it harder for farmers to move cherries and green coffee.
Rural communities may face labor and housing difficulties.
Mills, warehouses and cooperative facilities still need to be assessed in some areas.
Exporters may continue to rely on alternative ports while repairs take place.
There’s also a wider weather concern. If El Niño-type conditions bring higher temperatures or irregular rainfall later in the season, they could compound the damage caused by the earthquake. A region already dealing with weaker infrastructure may find it more difficult to manage drought stress, pests and farm maintenance.
For now, the earthquake appears to be creating more of a logistics and community risk than a confirmed large-scale loss of Colombian coffee production.
Vietnam: exports keep robusta in focus
Vietnam remained one of the main sources of pressure on robusta prices. Vietnam Customs data cited by the Voice of Vietnam put July coffee exports at approximately 147,890 tonnes, worth around US$642.5 million.
Other official and industry figures differ slightly, but they point in the same direction: Vietnam’s export pipeline remained strong through the middle of the year.
That matters because Vietnam is the world’s leading robusta supplier. High shipments can help replenish roaster inventories and reduce short-term supply anxiety. At the same time, demand for robusta remains strong among instant coffee manufacturers and blended coffee producers.
Vietnam is also trying to move further into value-added coffee. More local processing, better traceability and stronger domestic brands could help the country earn more from each tonne rather than relying mainly on raw bean exports.
India: monsoon gaps and pests affect the outlook
India’s coffee growers faced a more challenging week, particularly in Karnataka’s arabica-growing regions.
Rainfall deficits were reported across several important districts:
Kodagu was estimated to be around 25% below normal rainfall through mid-August.
Hassan faced deficits reported as high as 61%.
Chikkamagaluru was also affected by uneven and below-normal rain.
Wayanad in Kerala reported significant shortfalls as well.
Dry spells and warmer conditions can increase the risk of white stem borer, one of the most serious pests affecting Indian arabica. Farmers and Coffee Board officials have been promoting traps, biological controls and field sanitation. Heavily affected plants may need to be removed to prevent the pest from spreading.
Green bug and berry borer problems have also been reported in parts of the coffee belt. The weather has made routine work: such as manuring, shade management and timely field operations: more difficult.
In Araku Valley, coffee berry borer remains a relatively new concern. The pest was first detected in the region during the earlier outbreak and has since been addressed through surveys, traps and eco-friendly biopesticide programs. Authorities report that these measures have helped bring affected areas under control, but continued monitoring will be important for tribal coffee-growing communities.
For coffee lovers, this is a useful reminder that every cup depends on much more than market prices. Rainfall, shade, farm labor and pest management all shape what eventually reaches the roaster.
Industry news
The week brought several developments across major coffee brands and markets.
Starbucks’ Unicorn Frappuccino return generated strong attention after its limited August 15–17 relaunch. Starbucks said more than two million beverages were sold during the return weekend. The promotion wasn’t directly connected to the company’s separate labor disputes, but barista strikes and organizing campaigns continued to keep wages, staffing and working conditions in the spotlight.
Tims China appointed Kwok Wah Cheung as CEO, effective June 15. Former CEO Yongchen Lu became chairman.
Löfbergs named Anneli Ellsäter as its next group CEO. She’ll take up the role on October 1 and will become the company’s first female CEO in its 120-year history.
Blue Bottle Coffee entered Thailand with its first Bangkok store at Central Park in the Silom area. A second flagship at EmQuartier is scheduled to follow.
Komeda’s Coffee announced plans for its first Thai outlet at Bangkok’s Exchange Tower in Asoke before the end of 2026.
India’s Third Wave Coffee raised approximately $43 million in a Series D round led by WestBridge Capital. The company plans to use the funds for café expansion, new markets and its desserts business.
Together, these moves show how coffee companies are competing through new formats, international expansion and broader menus: not just through the cup itself.
Coffee events: what’s happening next
The global coffee events calendar is filling up quickly.
Recently held
En Taza Specialty Coffee Expo, Córdoba, Argentina : August 21–22
Upcoming
What coffee drinkers can take from this week
Coffee prices are moving quickly, but the best response at home is simple: buy thoughtfully, store your coffee well and brew the way you enjoy it.
Try coffees from different origins and notice how climate and processing affect flavor.
Look for clear information about origin and roast date.
Store beans or ground coffee in an airtight container away from heat and sunlight.
If prices are changing, compare quality and freshness: not just pack size.
Support roasters and growers who invest in traceability and responsible sourcing.
This week’s news brought plenty of uncertainty, but it also showed a coffee industry that’s adapting: farmers are testing biological pest controls, exporters are rerouting shipments, and cafés continue to find new ways to connect with drinkers around the world.
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