SAO PAULO, Brazil – After hitting new records in February (in real terms), Arabica coffee prices oscillated significantly in the first fortnight of March, reports CEPEA in its latest update. This scenario is related to both climate and productive scenario in Brazil, to limited stocks and to the volatility in the international market.
Coffee growers are concerned about high temperatures in Brazil and many of them expect rains this month. The warm and dry weather can affect both quality and productivity of the 2025/26 season.
The CEPEA/ESALQ Index for arabica type 6, delivered to São Paulo city, closed at BRL 2,494.82 per 60-kg bag on March 14, upping 0.51% against that on February 28.
It is worth noting that, in February, arabica coffee quotations hit another record, in real terms (IGP-DI January/25), of Cepea series, which has started in September 1997. The CEPEA/ESALQ Index for arabica type 6, delivered to São Paulo city, averaged BRL 2,627.79 per 60-kg bag last month, for an increase of 12.64% (almost 300 Reais/bag) against January. The Index hit the highest level, in real terms, on Feb. 12, at BRL 2,769.45/bag – it is worth noting that the real record was reached for five times in February alone.
In Espírito Santo state, players surveyed by Cepea say that there had been a small volume of rainfall in early March, but crops had already been affected by the warm and dry weather since the end of January. As for arabica, high temperatures also concern producers, since they fear that the scenario can jeopardize the development of the crop.
The CEPEA/ESALQ Index for the robusta type 6, screen 13, Espírito Santo, closed at BRL 2,010.56 per 60-kg bag on March 14, moving up 1.28% in relation to that verified on February 28. The average in February was at BRL 2,050.09 per 60-kg bag, the highest average of Cepea series (since November 2001).
