Fairtrade International announced on July 30, 2026 an increase to its guaranteed minimum coffee prices, effective December 1, 2026. The new minimum for washed arabica — which accounts for more than 80% of all coffee sold under Fairtrade certification — rises to $2.00 per pound from $1.80, an 11% increase. Natural robusta climbs to $1.30 per pound from $1.20, up 8%.
The decision is based on an analysis of data collected from 57 cooperatives across 13 countries for the 2023-2024 harvest period, adjusted for inflation and exchange rates through September 2025. The organization left premiums unchanged, citing historically high market coffee prices and the need for predictability for cooperatives and traders.
The Fairtrade minimum price acts as a safety net, kicking in when market prices fall below the threshold — something that hasn't happened since March 2024, when coffee has stayed consistently above $2 per pound.
Source: Just Drinks