The main difference between the commodity and specialty coffee markets, specifically when it comes to how coffee is defined and marketed to customers. In the commodity market, coffee is typically defined by its country of origin, with the most specific level being the region or subregion. On the other hand, in the speciality market, transparency is highly valued, and customers want to know the story behind the coffee they are buying. This includes information about the farm where it was grown, the farming practices used, and any unique aspects of the coffee's flavor profile.
One of the challenges in the specialty market is that good coffee sells out quickly. This means that if you are not quick to order a desired coffee when it is released, you may miss out entirely. This can be frustrating, especially if you have already built up excitement among your customers about a particular coffee. Additionally, in the specialty market, it is not uncommon for a coffee to come from a small, family-owned farm that produces limited quantities of coffee each year. This can make it even more difficult to secure a desired coffee, as there is simply not much of it available.
To address this issue, we recommend that coffee roasters and green coffee suppliers plan ahead. By knowing the harvest schedule for different origins, roasters can anticipate when a particular coffee will become available and be ready to order it as soon as possible. Additionally, by estimating how much coffee will be needed between harvests, roasters can avoid running out of a particular coffee and having to wait for the next harvest. They can also avoid storing too much past crop when the new crop is coming in.
To help with this planning process, we have attached a PDF that readers can use when working with their green coffee suppliers. The PDF includes information about when different origins typically harvest their coffee, as well as other useful tips and suggestions for planning ahead. By using this resource and taking a proactive approach to sourcing specialty coffee, roasters can better serve their customers and ensure that they always have access to the high-quality coffee they expect.
Get your pdf here: Coffee harvest calendar