Last month was a busy one for the Bennetts team. From the floor of the World of Coffee Expo to the conversations happening closer to home, the past few weeks have reminded us why we do what we do: the relationships, the craft, and the constant pursuit of a better cup.
 
To welcome in May, we're sharing our latest market report alongside a recap of Tom and Samantha’s time at World of Coffee (WoC) San Diego. We’ve also got an exciting update from one of our much-valued supplier partners, Swiss Water®, whose Premium Espresso Blend has just received a thoughtful and flavour-forward refresh.
 
Whether you're here for the industry updates, the coffee stories, or simply a reason to brew something new, we hope this edition leaves you with a little of each.

MARKET REPORT

April coffee markets over the past two years could hardly have been more different.

This time last year, markets were anything but calm. Early in the month, global trade tensions following so‑called “Liberation Day” (or “Tariff Day”) triggered sharp sell‑offs across commodities. Arabica futures in New York fell by roughly 70usc/lb in just one week, before rebounding almost 95usc/lb by month‑end. In total, prices swung across a 95usc/lb range, equal to about USD 35,600 per futures contract—a clear example of extreme volatility. Robusta markets followed a similar path, trading from below 4,700USD/MT to above 5,500USD/MT, reinforcing how unsettled sentiment was across the entire coffee complex. This year, by contrast, was remarkably quiet.

Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, coffee prices remained largely range‑bound, with little appetite from the market to push prices decisively higher or lower. Arabica opened the month near the top of its recent trading range at 29usc/lb, but most of April was spent trading between 280usc/lb and 300usc/lb. The total monthly range was just 27.95usc/lb, equivalent to approximately USD 10,500 per futures contract, less than one third of the volatility seen in April 2025. The market ended the month at 285.55usc/lb, still firmly within this established range.
 

2025 Arabica NY C Graph

2026 Arabica NY C Graph

Robusta markets were even quieter. Prices opened April at 3,493USD/MT, dipped to a low of 3,173USD/MT, and closed at 3,368USD/MT. When translated into Arabica terms, the volatility was lower still (18.19usc/lb), highlighting how subdued price action has become.
In Brazil, conditions have turned drier during April. Creating ideal conditions as the harvest approaches, helping cherries mature and reducing processing risks. Most Arabica growing regions are expected to begin harvesting over the coming weeks, with peak volumes not arriving until June.
At the same time, the trade is watching closely to see whether early harvest results support the very large production estimates published by major trading houses. Initial yields will be key. On the other hand, attention will soon turn to winter weather risks in south eastern Brazil, with the industry hoping for a frost free season.
 

Robusta London Graph
 

While harvest begins in Brazil, coffee inventories in many destination countries remain tight and are expected to stay that way until the final quarter of the year. Limited nearby supply has pushed physical differentials higher, particularly for prompt shipment coffees.
This tightness is also reflected in the futures market, where the price difference between Jul-26 and Sep-26 terminals remains steep, signalling strong demand for near term availability.

The Australian Dollar has strengthened against the US Dollar in recent months, offering some cost relief for Australian roasters. However, interest rates and broader macroeconomic forces will continue to drive currency movements throughout the year, meaning exchange rates remain an important factor in overall green coffee costs.

If any of these terms in the market report are confusing, we urge you to use Investopedia to make sense of them. We have found it to be a brilliant tool when learning about all things trading, futures and currency.



WORLD OF COFFEE SAN DIEGO

After the Easter break, Tom and Samantha from our team travelled to San Diego, USA to attend the World of Coffee Expo, a global industry gathering we have proudly been part of since 1988. They spent 4 days reconnecting with our long-standing partners, gathering market insights, and as always, finding inspiration in the global coffee community.
 
The team shared stories from the past 12 months with Bennetts' supplier partners, reflecting on the changes we've experienced, and strengthened the bonds that underpin our business. Many of these relationships span decades, with some suppliers having grown alongside us for up to 30 years. These conversations are more than catch-ups; they are meaningful exchanges of insights and feedback that build resilience across our supply chain. We also gained broader market perspectives from fellow participants - knowledge we look forward to passing on to our customers. And, as always, the Expo presented exciting opportunities to forge new supplier relationships.
 
Tom and Samantha have returned from San Diego with a wealth of valuable experience and a fresh outlook heading into the months ahead. A full report will be released soon. Stay tuned for the updates!

Samantha and Tom at the World of Coffee San Diego