In this month’s edition, we’re tackling tariffs, the coffee market, and inventory planning with a useful FAQ for green coffee buyers. We’ve also got some spot highlights and info about Thanksgiving warehouse closures.
Frequently Asked Questions: Market and Tariff Edition
We’ve had a trying time in the coffee world this year, but the recent tariff news has finally given us some welcome relief. Because all of us have been fielding questions from you regarding all sorts of topics we thought it was time to do a little FAQ.
Current state of US tariffs:
After a series of announcements and a steady drip of information - where we are today is – there are no longer any tariffs on coffee imports into the US! This is great news for importers, roasters, and consumers alike. We do still have a number of lots in US warehouses that are tariffed and so priced accordingly, but anything arriving into the country after November 13 will be tariff free.
What about getting money back for tariff charges already paid?
As of now the assumption is that the only way we would be seeing payback for tariffs already collected is if the Supreme Court rules the tariffs were unconstitutional from the beginning. It seems that we are a long way from any resolution there.
I know the tariffs had an impact, but why else are coffee prices high?
The NY Futures market has been high, $3.50 to $4.37, all year. The current trading month, March 2026, closed Friday at $3.69. Now that DEC is behind us and the Brazil tariffs give the world some clarity on supply vs US demand, we expect differentials in all origins to stabilize somewhat and compress back into something like a typical range.
But I don’t buy market based coffees do I?
The commodity market influences overall pricing and differentials no matter what. The exceptions can be outright priced coffees from smaller producers or cooperatives that negotiate those typically well in advance. We do some outright pricing on Costa Ricas every year, but those are also influenced by the global commodity market and local market factors. Ask your sales rep if you want more detailed information on any of this.
I’m concerned about my current inventory, what should I do?
We suggest roasters have nearby coverage of 3 to 6 months of green usage booked, depending on your situation, comfort level, and strategy. There is diminishing spot coffee available in the US with replacements coming along slowly. If you are short of this 3 to 6 month coverage you are probably right to be concerned. Talk with one of us about booking what you plan to use before new crop centrals arrive in March/April/May. Additionally, if you think now is a good time to book even further out, let us know and we can help you create a good plan.
But I’m concerned about the prices of those spot coffees.
Yep, they are higher than what you are used to seeing, for sure. For the next couple months Coverage is king. Maybe consider grabbing those last 5 bags we have on our offer sheet. Don’t run out. We think if you keep roasting great coffee and price it correctly, your customers will continue to buy retail bags and visit your cafes.
I’m also concerned about next year’s prices, what should I do?
We encourage you to do something. Not having a plan is not a good strategy. We have seen many buyers unwilling to consider buying spots recently, and reluctant to book future coffees, mainly due to tariff impacts and high market and differential levels. Some have seemed downright paralyzed. Don’t be that buyer. Prices are high for everyone. You should have adequate coverage, maybe not as far out as you’ve gone in years’ past, but we suggest filling the immediate gaps in your supply chain. Following the recent tariff announcements and the subsequent easing of the NY market we are expecting buyers to become more proactive with their purchasing.
And what about Brazils?
When the 50% tariffs went into effect we decided to take a cautious approach to Brazil. We kept the contracts we had booked for new crop shipments but not booked anything behind those. Now that the tariffs are off we are working to get some new lots booked for Jan and Feb shipments. Our current lots are a bit pricey with 50% tariffs on them, but the Q1 arrivals will be much more reasonable. Check our weekly offer sheet or ask your sales person about new Brazil opportunities.
You suggest I book forward but I can just keep buying off importer’s spot lists, right?
Yes, as long as those inventories last. We will likely have a smaller spot inventory going forward, and I think you’ll find that with your other brokers as well. The reason for this is due primarily to the pressure it puts on finances. Ten million dollars worth of coffee just isn’t as much coffee as it used to be, especially when you add the money out of pocket we have all spent since April on the tariffs. Be prepared to see skinnier offer sheets than you are used to, and for coffees to sell out quicker. For our part, we try to let you know when we have something we feel is good value, or hits a sweet spot for your use, or just cups great. This year, those coffees are vanishing as fast as they arrive. With a strong plan in mind you are in a position to decide quickly when and where something will fit into your inventory.
In any case, staying in touch with Drew, Jim, Tucker, Emma and myself is a good idea. We will do our best to alert you to changing conditions and opportunities as they come up, and we are always happy to answer questions or just listen as you talk through your thinking . If you don’t regularly receive our weekly offer sheet, it’s always posted on our website, or you can ask one of us for a copy. Talk with us about your planning and needs and we can help.
Scott Merle, Senior VP Green Coffee Sales
scottm@laminita.com
Autumn Spot Roundup
2025 is coming to a close, and the busy holiday season is upon us. This can feel like an in-between time for coffee buyers, with the majority of the Peru and Brazil harvest still on the way, and the harvest just around the corner in Central America. So we thought it’d be useful to highlight our spot offerings, where we still have a wide variety of coffee available that can meet your roasting needs – whether you’re launching a new blend, need a featured single-origin option, or just need to fill a gap until your contracted coffees arrive. Here’s a few of the highlights:
Costa Rica
We’ve got La Gloxinia – our smallholder-produced regional lot from the Santa Maria de Dota area – in stock at both the Annex and CTI NJ. With notes of cherry, chocolate, and brown sugar, this is a versatile coffee that works for a lot of roasting applications. At CTI NJ, we still have a few bags and boxes of our microlot coffees, including washed and honey-processed Geishas and a natural San Isidro 48.
Guatemala
From Guatemala, we have La Flor del Café available at the Annex, CTI NJ, and Dupuy Houston. This Antigua regional lot, selected and prepared to our specifications, has been a staple offering for us for many years. If you’re looking to cover your Guatemala needs until the new crop arrives in late Spring, we still have a good amount of this excellent coffee on hand.
Indonesia
Our Sumatra offerings are consistent standouts, possessing the distinctive qualities of the traditional wet-hulling process while still showing plenty of complexity and a clean cup. At CTI NJ, we have Suku Batak in stock. At the Annex, we have Suku Batak, Raja Batak, and Ondo in stock. Ondo is a new coffee for us this year, selected by our partner Friska at her buying station near Lintongnihuta, and has a complex, fruitier profile with a heavy body.
If you’re interested in these or any other coffees on our spot offerings list, reach out to your salesperson or contact us via the form on our website. We’d love to help you find the right coffee for your roasting program!
THANKSGIVING WAREHOUSE CLOSURES
La Minita’s office will be closed on Thursday 11/27 and Friday 11/28 for Thanksgiving. Our warehouse partners will also be closed for the holiday, which may cause minor delays in shipping times the following week.
That’s all for this month’s edition. Thanks for reading, and as always, if there’s anything we can do for you, reach out to your salesperson or fill out our contact form and we’ll get right back to you. See you next month!