Robusta Coffee Bean Prices Near Half-Century High As Vietnam Supply Woes Spark World Crunch

A new report from the International Coffee Organization reveals an alarming situation in the coffee market. Robusta coffee prices have skyrocketed to a 45-year high, a clear indication of the severity of the supply crunch and the rampant bean hoarding that is gripping the world’s largest bean producer.

The London-based group, in their monthly report, delivered a sobering update. ICO’s gauge of wholesale prices, based on spot prices across key markets, surged 17% in April to the highest level since 1979. The report also highlighted Vietnam’s struggles in its coffee belt, enduring several years of poor harvests.