Green Coffee
Pricing and contracts
Green coffee prices against a futures contract that moves every trading day. We publish the structure and the basis, not a number that would be wrong by lunchtime.
What is green Robusta priced against?
The ICE Europe Robusta futures contract, traded in London and quoted in US dollars per metric ton. It is the global price reference for Robusta. It is not the New York "C" contract, which prices Arabica in US cents per pound — confusing the two is the most common error in a first conversation.
Physical coffee is priced as a differential over or under a named contract month rather than as a flat number. The futures leg and the physical trade are therefore separable, which is what lets either party fix price when it suits them.
| Contract | Species | Exchange | Quotation | Applies to us |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICE Europe Robusta | Coffea canephora | London | USD per metric ton | Yes |
| ICE "C" | Coffea arabica | New York | US cents per pound | No |
What is a differential and how is it set?
The differential is the premium or discount applied to the futures contract to reach the physical price, quoted as so many dollars over or under a named contract month. It reflects origin, quality, preparation, certification, position and the cost of getting the coffee to the delivery point.
Our differential for the 2027 position is quoted per enquiry rather than published, because it moves with the same forces the futures do and a stale published differential is worse than none.
What is the difference between a fixed and a differential contract?
A fixed contract sets one final price at signing and both parties carry the market from there. A differential contract fixes only the premium, leaving the futures leg to be priced later by whichever party holds the right to fix, before an agreed deadline.
| Fixed price contract | Differential contract | |
|---|---|---|
| Price set at | Signing | Differential at signing, futures later |
| Who carries market risk | Both, from signing | The party yet to fix |
| Typical scale | Small lots, spot | Container and forward |
| Requires a futures account | No | Usually, for the fixing party |
| Deadline to fix | n/a | Stated in the contract |
Which incoterms do you sell on?
The incoterm for each trade is agreed per quote and confirmed in the contract. It decides far more than who books the ship: it sets who files FSVP, who is importer of record, who insures the cargo and where risk transfers. Settle it before negotiating the differential.
| Incoterm | Risk transfers at | Seller arranges | Buyer arranges |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOB Santos | On board at Santos | Export clearance, loading | Ocean freight, insurance, import clearance, duty |
| CFR | On board at origin port | Ocean freight | Insurance, import clearance, duty |
| CIF | On board at origin port | Ocean freight and marine insurance | Import clearance, duty |
| DDP | At the named destination | Everything including duty | Unloading |
What payment terms apply to me?
They scale with order size and with trading history. Boxed and small lots settle by card or ACH before dispatch; pallet orders by ACH or net 30 on approved credit; containers by letter of credit, cash against documents, or open account once a relationship exists.
| Buyer | Terms | What we need first |
|---|---|---|
| Boxed and small lot | Card or ACH, prepaid | Nothing beyond the order |
| Pallet to partial container | ACH, or net 30 on approved credit | Trade account application and references |
| Full container, first trade | Letter of credit or cash against documents | Trade account, bank details, references |
| Full container, established | Open account, terms by agreement | Trading history with us |
No per-unit prices are published anywhere on this site. Request a quote and we will return a basis, a differential and terms against a specific lot and volume.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the site not publish green coffee prices?
Green coffee prices against a futures contract that moves every trading day, so a published number would be wrong within hours and misleading for longer. We publish the structure instead: the benchmark, how differentials work, which incoterms apply and what payment terms attach to each buyer type.
What is the difference between a fixed and a differential contract?
A fixed contract sets one final price at signing. A differential contract sets the premium or discount to a named futures month and leaves the futures leg to be fixed later, by either party, before a deadline. Differential contracts are standard at container scale.
What payment terms do you offer?
Terms scale with order size and relationship. Boxed and small lots settle by card or ACH, pallet orders by ACH or net 30 on approved credit, and containers by letter of credit, cash against documents or open account once a trading history exists.
Which incoterms do you sell on?
Incoterms are agreed per contract and confirmed in each quote. The incoterm decides far more than freight cost: it determines who files FSVP, who is importer of record, who carries marine insurance and where risk transfers. Settle it before negotiating the differential.
Request green offerings
Tell us what you roast and at what volume, and we will send the current position with a basis.
Request green offeringsRequest a private label capabilities packet
Formats, minimums, lead times and certification status, in one document.
Request the capabilities packet