Coffee may not travel through the Strait of Hormuz, but its closure impacts coffee prices.
A few customers have asked us what effects the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will have on coffee, especially in price. While coffee doesn’t actually travel through Hormuz, commodities like oil, natural gas and fertilizer do. The closure of the Strait, in response to the war, has triggered a global supply shortage of these commodities. We are already paying for the knock-on effects in the supply chain.
Oil shortages are perhaps most glaring to us as price shifts are felt in real time at the pump. As a business, we feel this in the rising costs to ship coffee, too. Diesel prices have skyrocketed since the start of the war; this is fuel used to power the container ships for maritime transit, as well as the trucks needed to transport coffee to and from the ports. In addition, some shipping lanes are also subject to a “War Risk Surcharge,” which currently stands around $2,000 per 20 foot container, which most suppliers use. All of this is factored into the shipping rates we pay.
For fertilizers specifically used on coffee, about half of the global supply passes through Hormuz. These are sulphur-based fertilizers that include minerals like potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen, which have more than doubled in price since the closure of the Strait. Like oil, the shortage hits consumers immediately and has meant a significant increase in the cost of production for coffee farmers.
These costs add up, all of them trickling down to the final coffee price. That said, when compared to last year’s peaks caused by supply shortages and tariffs, coffee prices have still managed to come down a bit—at least for the time being. Today’s news of a temporary ceasefire has offered a sliver of hope, though the supply gap is expected to have long term effects.
Check out our launch schedule and list of coffees in-transit below
Scroll through the Upcoming Coffees lists below for an updated schedule of coffees rolling out through the rest of April. “Launch Week” is an estimate of when coffees will hit the site, but please keep in mind the timing can fluctuate due to issues outside our control.
Also, a reminder that coffees in our “Incoming Coffees” list with a status of “ARRIVED”, means the container is in Oakland, but not yet in our possession. It generally takes a few weeks for incoming shipments to be physically moved to the offsite storage facility we use. Once they are transferred, they will be removed from our “Incoming” list. On that note, just because a coffee’s disappeared from the list, doesn’t mean you missed them. It means they are now in our possession and you will see them on a future launch schedule.
Below is a list of upcoming green coffees currently on the schedule to be added to our website over the next two months.
Upcoming Coffees April
| Launch Week | Coffee Name | Bags |
| 4/6 – 4/10 | Colombia Pitalito Franky Peña | 18 |
| 4/6 – 4/10 | Ethiopia Uraga Gogogu | 119 |
| 4/6 – 4/10 | Rwanda Nyamasheke Mutovu | 20 |
| 4/6 – 4/10 | Guatemala Huehuetenango Finca La Bolsa | 15 |
| 4/6 – 4/10 | Honduras FTO Marcala WP Decaf | 20 |
| 4/6 – 4/10 | Espresso Workshop #51: Silvertone | 60 |
| 4/13 – 4/17 | Colombia Productores de Pitalito | 32 |
| 4/13 – 4/17 | Flores Wet Hulled Turelelo | 20 |
| 4/13 – 4/17 | Java Sunda Mekarsari | 20 |
| 4/13 – 4/17 | Brazil Machado Recanto do Engenho | 109 |
| 4/13 – 4/17 | Colombia Inzá Maria Ilma | 7 |
| 4/13 – 4/17 | Kenya Nyeri Kamoini AB | 39 |
| 4/20 – 4/24 | Ethiopia Guji Gerba Dogo | 100 |
| 4/20 – 4/24 | Colombia Buesaco Miguel Paz | 7 |
| 4/20 – 4/24 | Brazil Cerrado Ana Maria Menezes | 59 |
| 4/20 – 4/24 | Colombia Nariño Alto Naranjal | 17 |
| 4/20 – 4/24 | Kenya Nyeri Karindundu Peaberry | 10 |
| 4/20 – 4/24 | Peru Perlamayo Familia Rioja | 10 |
Incoming coffees currently on the water: February Onward
Please keep in mind that names may change when we list the coffee on our website. Location status of “TBD” are also a bit of a wild card, as logistical disruptions are out of our control! You also may notice some of the coffees from last month’s list have disappeared. Don’t worry, you probably haven’t missed them. They are now in our possession and should be on our launch schedule soon. Thanks for your patience!
Africa
| Lot ID | Bags | ETA |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Buno Dambi Uddo | 120 | ETA 7/10 |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Korate | 100 | ETA 7/10 |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Bobea Uke | 100 | ETA 7/10 |
| Ethiopia Shakiso Wesi | 100 | ETA 7/10 |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Goro Bedessa | 120 | ETA 7/10 |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Shakiso Wesi | 100 | ETA 7/10 |
| Ethiopia Uraga Gogogu | 120 | ETA 7/10 |
| Ethiopia Uraga Raro Boda | 100 | ETA 7/10 |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Banko | 100 | ETA 7/10 |
| Ethiopia Organic Buture Cooperative | 80 | ETA 7/10 |
| Ethiopia Organic Garuke Cooperative | 80 | ETA 7/10 |
| Ethiopia Organic Gera Nano Challa | 80 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Organic Agaro Duromina | 80 | TBD |
| Ethioia Limu Dapara | 80 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Organic Gera Genji Challa | 80 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Organic Dry Process Birbirsa | 100 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Guji Goro | 100 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Yirgacheffe Banko Gotiti | 60 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Banko Gotiti | 100 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Guji Benti Nenka | 60 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Dogo Sodu | 100 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Guji Tuku | 100 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Honey Process Gerba Dogo | 25 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Anaerobic Gerba Dogo | 25 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Yirga Cheffe Chelchel | 120 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Buku Abel | 100 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Uraga | 100 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Buku Abel Lot 326 | 120 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Guji Haruse | 100 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Guji Uraga | 100 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Guji Hambela Dabaye | 80 | TBD |
| Ethiopia Dry Process Hambela Buliye | 80 | TBD |
| Farid Qanoo – Kedemai | 50 | TBD |
| Abdurahiman Ababulgu Washed Duromina | 60 | TBD |
| Abdurahiman Ababulgu Natural Duromina | 60 | TBD |
| Abdo Kasim -Natural Kota | 50 | TBD |
| Dametew Hailu -Natural Genji | 50 | TBD |
| Kefyalew Deressa -Natural Shantawene | 50 | TBD |
| Burundi Mutambu Migoti Hill | 38 | ETA 4/28 |
| Burundi Collines Masenga | 42 | ETA 4/28 |
| Burundi Monge Murambi Hill | 41 | ETA 4/28 |
| Burundi Collines Rugembe | 16 | ETA 4/28 |
| Burundi Collines Rugembe | 31 | ETA 4/28 |
| Burundi Mutambu Migoti Hill | 38 | ETA 4/28 |
| Burundi Monge Murambi Hill | 36 | ETA 4/28 |
| Burundi Dry Process Nyabiraba Kinama | 33 | ETA 4/28 |
| Burundi Dry Process Collines Kigina | 33 | ETA 4/28 |
| Burundi Dry Process Nyabiraba Kinama | 12 | ETA 4/28 |
| Burundi Dry Process Kibingo | 25 | ETA 3/7 |
| Burundi Dry Process Nemba | 25 | ETA 3/7 |
| Yemen Mokha Matari | 75 | TBD |
| Yemen Khulani Amer | 75 | TBD |
| Yemen Mokha Hajjah | 75 | TBD |
| Yemen Mokha Haimi | 125 | TBD |
| Yemen Mokha Sanani | 50 | TBD |
| Uganda Bugoye | 20 | TBD |
| Uganda Dry Process Bugoye | 50 | TBD |
| Uganda Mount Elgon | 40 | TBD |
| Uganda Gibuzale A | 20 | TBD |
| Uganda Yellow Honey Elgon | 20 | TBD |
| Uganda Black Honey Elgon | 20 | TBD |
| Uganda Dry Process Elgon | 20 | TBD |
| Uganda Dry Process Robusta | 10 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Gathaithi Peaberry | 3 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Nyeri Gichathaini AA | 40 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Kirinyaga Kiri AB | 26 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Kiambu Spike AA | 16 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Kiambu Spike AB | 17 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Kiambu Spike Peaberry | 5 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Nduma Peaberry | 6 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Nyeri Kiamabara AA | 30 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Nyeri Gathaithi AA | 30 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Nyeri Gititu AB | 26 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Nyeri Gathaithi Peaberry Lot 2 | 11 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Ruarai Peaberry | 6 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Kiambu Spike AA Lot 2 | 20 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Kiambu Spike Peaberry Lot 2 | 7 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Kirinyaga Kii Peaberry | 5 | ETA 5/15 |
| Kenya Kiambu Spike AA Lot 3 | 38 | TBD |
| Kenya Kiambu Spike Peaberry Lot 3 | 20 | TBD |
| Kenya Kiambu Spike AB Lot 2 | 35 | TBD |
| Kenya Kiambu Fram Farm AA | 21 | TBD |
| Kenya Kiambu Fram Farm AB | 20 | TBD |
| Kenya Kiambu Fram Farm Peaberry | 5 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Igutha AB | 26 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Igutha Peaberry | 7 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Maganjo AB | 8 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Maganjo AB Lot 2 | 32 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Maganjo AA | 35 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Rukira AB | 23 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Gaikundo AA | 9 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Kaiguri AA | 20 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Rukira AB | 23 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Gaikundo AB | 28 | TBD |
| Kenya Kinjo AB | 24 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Kaiguri AB | 53 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Ichamama Peaberry | 11 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Kamoini AB | 12 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Chinga Peaberry | 11 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Kaiguri Peaberry | 13 | TBD |
| Kenya Nyeri Gaikundo NH | 18 | TBD |
Central America
| Lot ID | Bags | ETA |
| El Salvador Miravalles Pacamara | 18 | TBD |
| El Salvador Dry Process Finca San Luis | 38 | TBD |
| El Salvador Dry Process Cuscatleco | 16 | TBD |
| El Salvador Dry Process Icatu | 10 | TBD |
| El Salvador Honey Process Castillo | 16 | TBD |
| El Salvador Honey Process Ana Café | 17 | TBD |
| El Salvador Miravalles Pacamara | 20 | TBD |
| El Salvador Finca Miravalles Bourbon | 46 | TBD |
| El Salvador San Miguel Bourbon | 14 | TBD |
| El Salvador Atiquizaya Tabi | 30 | TBD |
| El Salvador | 10 | TBD |
| El Salvador La Esperanza Bourbon | 50 | TBD |
| Guatemala Xinabajul Edwin Castillo | 17 | TBD |
| Guatemala Proyecto Xinabajul Bojonality | 40 | TBD |
| Guatemala Xinabajul Axel Palacios | 22 | TBD |
| Guatemala Xinabajul Donaldo Villatoro | 55 | TBD |
| Guatemala Xinabajul Rosalio Villatoro | 30 | TBD |
| Guatemala Xinabajul Aler Villatoro | 45 | TBD |
| Guatemala Huehuetenango Boqueroncito | 26 | TBD |
| Guatemala Libertad Aurelio Del Cerro | 40 | TBD |
Indonesia & SE Asia
| Lot ID | Bags | ETA |
| India Pearl Mountain Estate Peaberry | 50 | TBD |
| Sumatra Wet Hulled Sesongot | 20 | TBD |
| Sumatra Wet Hulled Sesongot Peaberry | 20 | TBD |
| Sumatra Anaerobic Honey Gayo | 15 | TBD |
| Sumatra Dry Process Gayo Abyssinia | 10 | TBD |
| Sumatra Anaerbic Natural Gayo | 15 | TBD |
| Sumatra Wet Process Ribang Gayo | 15 | TBD |
| Sumatra Wet Hulled Ribang Gayo | 50 | TBD |
30 Responses
I anticipate the Uganda robusta. Uganda is one of most countries whose coffee I do not buy because most of it seems to be more on the bright and fruity end of the spectrum but correct me if I am wrong. However, I will build inventory of robusta from any country because inherently I know already it will be pleasing to my palate. Really I want more of that aged robusta but it is out of stock.
Thank you for the information.
does any coffee come from harrar any more? ethiopian coffees have very different names different from older times. thank you
Great question. Coffee is still being produced in Harrar, just not a lot. Tom actually wrote a piece about this very topic that you can check out here.
Timor-Leste?
Nothing booked at the moment, but hoping for something down the road.
-Dan
Last fall I really enjoyed Kenya Nyeri Gatamboya AA. For me it had a stunning bright grapefruit flavor right up front. Is there any more coming this season? If not, will any of the other Nyeri AA beans be similar? Thank you.
Hey there Ala, while we didn’t book Gatomboya this year, we did pick up some very nice AA selections from Kenya. Our first box should be here around late May/early June, and both Gichathaini AA and Gathaithi were standout lots. But there are others too. If all goes as scheduled, we should start seeing these coffees hit the site staring first week June.
Best,
Dan
No Kirinyaga Kiangoi AA lots this year? Last year’s lot was probably my favorite Kenyan yet – a blackberry bomb.
Looking forward to trying the Ugandan lots!
Hey Todd, no Kiangoi just yet. We try to repeat with stations we buy from, but some years we don’t see samples, or the ones we are offered don’t hit our quality target. However, we do have some incredible AA Nyeri coffees lined up, like Gichathaini, Gathaithi, and more.
Best,
Dan
Any word on arrival of Malabar Monsoon, awaiting return of Liquid Amber?
Hey Kent, we will have Monsoon coffee around July. I believe the coffee is being prepped to ship right now, so I expect to have a more firm ETA in the next Outlook.
Best,
Dan
Will you be receiving any Tanzania coffees this year?
Hey Blair, yes we will. There are a couple lots missing from this list that should start rolling out to the site in the next couple of weeks. They’re not on the schedule yet, but we’re working on it!
Best,
Dan
Tell us about the three Kiambu Spike AA lots. Are these three corresponding to SL28, Ruiru 11, and Ruiru 11 grafted to SL roots? I read about this varietal separation in your Spike farm description last year. Looking forward to trying each of them. Any tasting notes you can provide are appreciated, if it’s not too early to inquire.
Hi Ala, good question. My understanding is that this year’s coffees are still blended before milling, so no separations this time around. We’ll see what they’re capable of managing next harvest. All of the samples we approved are syrupy in sweetness, and nice vivid brightness that’s somewhere between citrus and apple.
Best,
Excited to see Yemeni coffee expected. Will you be sourcing any lots from Haraz this year?
Unfortunately the samples from Harazi didn’t quite reach the quality target we aim for. We’ll try again next year! The ones we picked up are very nice, and we look forward to their arrival mid-Summer.
Best
I’m excited for the Burundi coffees. For some reason, it hits the spot for my taste buds.
We are also counting down the days! Hopefully we will see the arrival by the end of the month.
Best
Guatemala is a family favorite in our house. Do you have an update on when the Finca La Bolsa will be available for order?
Hey Mark, unfortunately La Bolsa came and went (it sold fast!). We hope to pick up more coffee from them later in the year, but don’t have anything on the books just yet. Our fist Guatemalan coffees are shipping right now and should be available in June/July.
Best,
Any plans to bring in any Panama coffees this year?
Hey David, nothing booked but we are hoping to add something to our catalog late Summer. Keep an eye out for an update in the June Outlook (hoping to have one by then).
-Dan
Any update on the Kenyan coffees? I see 5/15 as the date, but we’re past that now, just looking for an update… need to order some more coffee really soon, hoping to pick up a couple of these.
Hi William, our first Kenya box did indeed arrive, and is just waiting to be unloaded at the Annex (where we store some of our coffee). We hope to start listing them in the nexts 2 weeks.
Thanks!
-Dan
Any updates for Guatemala FTO Dry Process Chuacus, or Mexico Organic Chiapas Tulijá? Both great coffees!
We don’t have those two on the books at the moment. We have another Organic Mexico coffee landing this month, La Concordia, that I think will be a nice replacement from Tulija. We haven’t bought any dry process Guatemalan coffees so far, but El Salvador will have a few options. Dry Process Finca San Luis is a pretty wild, fruit-forward natural, wheras the Icatu lot is much milder in terms of fruit (tho still there), and versatile in that way.
-Dan
Any word yet on when the Yemeni beans will be available? I’ve run out and no good subs available. 😩
Hi Fran! We’re right there with you. Our container currently has an ETA of August, so not too much longer. Hoping for a quick turnaround so we can have some delicious Yemeni coffee late Summer.
Best,