COFFEE PRICING
What is Green Coffee?
Green coffee is the seed of the coffee cherry, a small fruit that grows on coffee trees. Once harvested, the cherries are carefully handled to remove the fruit, leaving the green beans inside. These beans are then dried and packed.
This is what we source directly from farming communities we’ve built relationships with over the past 25 years. It’s the heart of what we do and it’s where the story of your coffee begins.
These beans are hand-picked, processed at origin, and shipped to our team in Victoria. Every step adds value and cost.
Understanding Coffee Pricing
Coffee pricing isn’t fixed. It shifts constantly, shaped by a complex mix of global impacts, local realities and seasonal factors.
At Level Ground, we work with dedicated farms and co-ops to ensure improved life quality and stability. But it’s also important for our customers to understand why coffee prices change over time.
What Affects the Price of Green Coffee?
Weather & Harvest Conditions
Coffee trees grow in what is called the Coffee Belt, the band of tropical regions around the equator where climate conditions are ideal for growing coffee. But with climate change, these delicate conditions are changing.
Drought, frost, and heavy rainfall are becoming more common in growing regions, which can reduce harvests. Even altitude, once a natural safeguard for coffee beans, is no longer enough to guarantee consistent yields. These changing conditions influence the availability and price of coffee.
Global Impact
More people around the world are seeking ethically sourced coffee, and that’s a great thing! But as the demand grows, so does the pressure on producers. Especially when crops are affected in major coffee growing countries like Brazil. As the world’s largest coffee exporter, even small changes in Brazil’s harvest can send ripples through the global market, affecting prices everywhere.
Fair Pay to Farmers
Paying fairly has always been part of how we do things. Through Collective Fair Trade, we make sure the producers we work with earn more than the market minimums. For producers, higher and more stable income means they can reinvest in their farms, improve their growing practices, and strengthen their communities. Fair pay is the foundation for sustainable coffee supply.
Logistics & Transportation
From farm to roastery, green coffee has a long journey to reach you. Global freight, internal disruptions and overall supply chain delays, all factor into the final cost.
Currency Exchange
Because green coffee is traded in US dollars, fluctuations in currency exchange can impact the price we pay for coffee. The Canadian dollar can be greatly impacted by the strength of the US dollar and the US market.
