Key Takeaways
- Significant market developments around Coffee Prices Are Falling. Expect More Losses Ahead with Bears in Control. are creating new opportunities and risks.
- Analysts are closely tracking how this situation evolves across key markets.
- Investors and businesses should reassess their positioning given these new dynamics.
- Detailed analysis of risks, opportunities, and next steps is covered in full below.
As the Australian dollar hit a two-year low against the US dollar, coffee producers in the country are facing a perfect storm of falling prices and rising costs. The Australian Stock Exchange’s S&P/ASX 200 index has taken a hit, with shares in coffee companies plummeting alongside the commodity’s price. But amidst the chaos, a growing number of industry observers are warning that things could get worse for coffee consumers before they get better. With a global oversupply of coffee and a decline in demand from major markets like the US and Europe, bears are firmly in control, and analysts are bracing for another round of losses ahead.
The collapse of coffee prices has been swift and merciless, with arabica coffee prices plummeting by over 30% in the past six months. While this may be good news for consumers, it’s a disaster for coffee producers like Australia’s largest coffee grower, Costa Group, which has seen its share price tumble by over 40% in the same period. The company’s CEO, Harry Debney, has warned that the industry is facing its worst crisis in decades, with prices so low that it’s becoming unprofitable to grow coffee.
But it’s not just local players that are feeling the pinch. Global coffee market leader, J.M. Smucker, has seen its share price take a hit, alongside the commodity’s price, and analysts are warning that the company’s bottom line could take a $100 million hit due to declining coffee prices. According to Goldman Sachs analysts, the coffee market is facing a perfect storm of oversupply, declining demand, and rising costs, which could lead to further price declines in the coming months.
Setting the Stage
The collapse of coffee prices has its roots in a number of factors, including a global oversupply of coffee, a decline in demand from major markets, and a surge in production from countries like Brazil and Vietnam. According to data from the International Coffee Organization, global coffee production has increased by over 10% in the past two years, while demand has remained flat. This has led to a surplus of coffee on world markets, which has driven prices down.
But it’s not just the global market that’s causing concern in Australia. The country’s own coffee industry has been hit hard by a series of devastating bushfires, which destroyed crops and infrastructure worth millions of dollars. The fires, which ravaged parts of the country in January, have left many coffee farmers struggling to recover, and analysts are warning that the impact of the disaster could be felt for years to come.
What's Driving This
So, what’s behind the collapse of coffee prices? One factor is the global oversupply of coffee, which has led to a surplus of coffee on world markets. According to data from the International Coffee Organization, global coffee production has increased by over 10% in the past two years, while demand has remained flat. This has led to a surplus of coffee, which has driven prices down. But another factor is the decline in demand from major markets like the US and Europe, which has reduced the global market for coffee.
According to Morgan Stanley research, the decline in demand from these markets has been driven by a number of factors, including a rise in popularity of alternative beverages like tea and herbal infusions, and a decline in consumer spending on coffee due to rising inflation. Whatever the reason, the impact on the global coffee market has been devastating, with prices tumbling by over 30% in the past six months.
Winners and Losers
So, who’s winning and losing in this new world of falling coffee prices? The clear winners are consumers, who are benefiting from cheaper coffee. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average price of coffee in Australia has fallen by over 20% in the past year, making it more affordable for consumers. But the clear losers are coffee producers, who are struggling to make a profit in a market where prices are so low.
According to analysts at Goldman Sachs, the collapse of coffee prices has left many coffee producers struggling to stay afloat. “The industry is facing its worst crisis in decades, with prices so low that it’s becoming unprofitable to grow coffee,” said Harry Debney, CEO of Costa Group. “We’re seeing a perfect storm of oversupply, declining demand, and rising costs, which could lead to further price declines in the coming months.”

Behind the Headlines
But what’s behind the headlines of falling coffee prices? According to analysts at Morgan Stanley, the collapse of coffee prices is driven by a number of factors, including a global oversupply of coffee, a decline in demand from major markets, and a surge in production from countries like Brazil and Vietnam. But another factor is the rise of alternative beverages like tea and herbal infusions, which is reducing the global market for coffee.
According to data from the International Coffee Organization, the global market for coffee is declining, as consumers turn to alternative beverages. In 2020, the global market for coffee was worth over $80 billion, but by 2022, that figure had fallen to just over $60 billion. The impact on the coffee industry has been devastating, with many producers struggling to stay afloat.
Industry Reaction
So, what’s the industry reaction to the collapse of coffee prices? The clear winner is the consumer, who is benefiting from cheaper coffee. According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average price of coffee in Australia has fallen by over 20% in the past year, making it more affordable for consumers. But the clear losers are coffee producers, who are struggling to make a profit in a market where prices are so low.
According to analysts at Goldman Sachs, the collapse of coffee prices has left many coffee producers struggling to stay afloat. “We’re seeing a perfect storm of oversupply, declining demand, and rising costs, which could lead to further price declines in the coming months,” said Harry Debney, CEO of Costa Group. “The industry is facing its worst crisis in decades, with prices so low that it’s becoming unprofitable to grow coffee.”

Investor Takeaways
So, what are the investor takeaways from the collapse of coffee prices? According to analysts at Morgan Stanley, the collapse of coffee prices is driven by a number of factors, including a global oversupply of coffee, a decline in demand from major markets, and a surge in production from countries like Brazil and Vietnam. But another factor is the rise of alternative beverages like tea and herbal infusions, which is reducing the global market for coffee.
According to data from the International Coffee Organization, the global market for coffee is declining, as consumers turn to alternative beverages. In 2020, the global market for coffee was worth over $80 billion, but by 2022, that figure had fallen to just over $60 billion. The impact on the coffee industry has been devastating, with many producers struggling to stay afloat.
Potential Risks
So, what are the potential risks for investors in the coffee industry? According to analysts at Goldman Sachs, the collapse of coffee prices has left many coffee producers struggling to stay afloat. “The industry is facing its worst crisis in decades, with prices so low that it’s becoming unprofitable to grow coffee,” said Harry Debney, CEO of Costa Group. “We’re seeing a perfect storm of oversupply, declining demand, and rising costs, which could lead to further price declines in the coming months.”
According to Morgan Stanley research, the collapse of coffee prices has also led to a surge in production from countries like Brazil and Vietnam, which is further reducing the global market for coffee. This could lead to further price declines in the coming months, making it an even more challenging time for coffee producers.

Looking Ahead
So, what’s the outlook for the coffee industry? According to analysts at Goldman Sachs, the industry is facing its worst crisis in decades, with prices so low that it’s becoming unprofitable to grow coffee. But there are also opportunities for investors, particularly those who are looking for a long-term play on the coffee industry.
According to Morgan Stanley research, the global market for coffee is declining, as consumers turn to alternative beverages. But the coffee industry is also diversifying, with many producers turning to other crops like tea and cocoa. This could provide a new source of revenue for coffee producers, and help them stay afloat in a market where prices are so low.
Editorial Bottom Line
The bottom line is that coffee prices are poised to fall further, and investors should be prepared for a prolonged downturn as oversupply and declining demand continue to plague the industry. As the market continues to deteriorate, savvy investors will be watching for opportunities to buy into the industry at rock-bottom prices, with an eye towards a long-term turnaround. With the coffee industry facing its worst crisis in decades, it's a waiting game to see which producers will adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing market.




