Shipping, Storage, and Timing: The Quiet Forces Moving Green Coffee Markets

Behind every bag of green coffee, logistics plays a growing role in pricing and availability. According to the International Coffee Organization, global coffee exports reached approximately 128 million 60 kg bags in 2023, yet delivery times and landed costs varied widely due to port congestion, container shortages, and higher freight rates. While shipping conditions stabilized compared to the peak disruptions of 2021 and 2022, costs remain structurally higher than pre-pandemic levels. For traders and wholesale buyers, logistics has become a strategic factor rather than a background detail.

Storage and inventory management are also shaping how coffee moves through the market. Data from ICE exchange reports show that certified coffee stocks declined at several points during 2024, tightening availability for nearby contracts and increasing sensitivity to origin delays. Lower inventory levels mean buyers are less buffered against production or shipping disruptions, which can quickly translate into price volatility. As a result, many importers are rethinking just-in-time purchasing models in favor of more flexible stock planning.

These changes are influencing long-term trading relationships and contract structures. Longer lead times, diversified shipping routes, and closer coordination with exporters are becoming more common across the green coffee trade. Industry analysis from Rabobank highlights that companies investing in logistics resilience are better positioned to manage risk and protect margins. As global trade conditions continue to evolve, understanding the movement of coffee after it leaves origin is now essential to staying competitive in the green coffee market.