⏱ 1 min 30 read
Background
Switzerland is a global coffee trading hub. Members of the Swiss Coffee Trade Association (SCTA), including Nestlé, Starbucks, Sucafina, Olam, COFCO and LDC, account for more than half of the volumes traded worldwide.
The key points
At the SCTA annual forum on 1 October 2026, participants named war as their main concern. Their priority is flexibility and the use of alternative routes.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz since February is forcing carriers to reroute vessels and add fuel surcharges. Coffee from Vietnam must go via the Cape of Good Hope rather than the Suez Canal.
Key figures
- World coffee harvest in 2025: 183.6 million 60 kg bags, according to the ICO.
- Share exported: 77%, via 246 different routes.
- Extra transit time from Asia to Europe via the Cape of Good Hope: 20 days.
- Expected return of Suez traffic: 80% of pre-diversion levels by February 2027, according to a maritime research firm.
What it means for businesses
According to Commodity Supplies AG, the just-in-time strategy is losing its appeal. Roasters must build larger inventories, tying up working capital and raising financing and insurance costs.
Who says what
Dany Barkha, head of logistics at Geneva-based trader Sucafina, believes well-prepared companies are faring better. Sucafina relied on route diversification, inventory planning and its relationships with shipping lines.
José Luis Pérez, of Commodity Supplies AG, believes supply chains will have to become adaptable.
What's next
Even with Suez reopening, insurers are expected to apply a war-risk premium, passed on to traders as surcharges.
Further reading
Sources
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