THE BENNETTS MONTHLY JUNE '26
All Things Bennetts and Coffee...
Half the year has already slipped by, and what a year it has been! Welcome back to our monthly newsletter. June has brought with it cool, misty mornings, fuller cups, and plenty happening across the business. This edition is packed with updates: the latest market report, words from the cupping room on two exciting Brazil microlots well worth exploring, a recap of our recent educational event in Tasmania, and details of our first Bennetts ‘Beans & Banter’ on Thursday 18th June at our Kew HQ. As always, we hope this edition leaves you informed, inspired, and perhaps a little curious about what is in your next cup. Enjoy the read, and we hope to see you soon. MARKET REPORT The Arabica coffee market carried its range bound trajectory into May, with prices trading between 280c/lb and 300c/lb. After fluctuating within this range and hitting a month high of 297.20c/lb during the first week of the month, prices finally broke below the 280c/lb threshold, pushing down below 270c/lb. This appeared to re-set the range to 260-280c/lb, where the market traded for the second half May. The month closed out at 265.90c/lb, just a few cents above the monthly low of 262.85c/lb, marking the lowest level for near-term contracts since November of 2024! The gradual decline in prices over recent months has been largely driven by expectations of a large Brazilian crop. At the same time, investment funds have been reducing their bullish positioning, although they have not yet aggressively sold off, suggesting the market could still see further movement depending on how sentiment evolves. Arabica NY C Graph In contrast, Robusta prices showed more resilience during May. Opening the month at 3,378USD/MT, Robusta struggled to consolidate below 3,330USD/MT and has since rallied to above 3,450USD/MT. This has mainly been driven by the differing fundamentals in Robusta with continued demand and growing concerns on future crop expectations. As a result, the arbitrage between Arabica and Robusta has narrowed, reducing the cost advantage of substituting Robusta into blends. Attention is starting to turn toward the potential development of an El Niño weather pattern, which is expected to be confirmed in the coming months. Typically, El Niño brings drier conditions to parts of Central America and Asia, including key Robusta-producing areas like Vietnam. However, it’s important to remember that these are still forecasts, not certainties, and weather outcomes can be unpredictable. Towards the end of May, political and social unrest began to affect several origin countries. Colombia saw some roads blocked to the ports as the election now heads into a run-off, Peru has seen protests over eligible candidates running for presidency, Kenya and Uganda are battling with protests, and the impact of the unravelling Ebola out breaks have impacted export operations. It is important to continue monitoring these situations as they have varying impacts on the movements of coffee. As we move into June, all eyes remain on Brazil as the harvest progresses and forecasts begin to turn into real production numbers. Robusta London Graph If any of these terms in the market report are confusing, we urge you to use Investopedia to make sense of them. We have found it to be a brilliant tool when learning about all things trading, futures and currency. A WORD FROM THE CUPPING ROOM As the colder months set in, we're pleased to introduce two rich, warm and comforting microlots from the Mantiqueira de Minas region of Brazil, the perfect coffees for this time of year. Nestled in the heart of the Mantiqueira Mountains, Fazenda Santa Clara and Familia Afonso are both members of COCARIVE, the region's leading quality driven cooperative, and each brings their own distinct character to the coffee. Brazil Fazenda Santa Clara (Mantiqueira Region) Natural Fazenda Santa Clara's story stretches back to the early 1900s, when Italian and Portuguese immigrants first established the farm in the hills of Conceição do Rio Verde. Today, it is lovingly managed by the third generation of the Dias Pereira family across 350 hectares at altitudes of 930 to 1,050 metres. The family grows a selection of cultivars including Bourbon, Acaiá, and Catuaí, with an unwavering commitment to quality at every step. The farm also takes its environmental responsibilities seriously, preserving the surrounding ecosystem through sustainable practices and dedicated staff training. Here cherries are hand-picked onto cloths to avoid contact with the soil, transported immediately to the processing centre, sun-dried on cement patios, and rested for 30 days in wooden granaries at COCARIVE warehouse where it is prepared for export. In the cup, expect stone fruit, tart strawberry and green apple alongside sweet milk chocolate and hazelnut. A smooth, velvety body gives way to a crisp, wine-like acidity, finishing on hazelnut, walnut and cacao nibs. A truly comforting winter coffee. Brazil Familia Afonso (Mantiqueira Region) Natural A short distance away in Cristina, the Familia Afonso farms represent some of the finest work coming out of the Mantiqueira region. Led by Sebastião Afonso da Silva and his son Helisson, the family manages two properties: Sítio Baixadão and Sítio São Sebastião, both sitting at an altitude of 1,350 metres. Sebastião made the transition from rice production to coffee in the late 1990s, quickly recognising the extraordinary potential of the land, and his dedication has since earned the family first place at the Cup of Excellence Brazil Naturals in 2015. Only the ripest cherries are hand selected, carefully sun dried on patios and finished in dryers to ensure uniform quality. The result is a beautifully complex cup showing stone fruit, fig jam, almond and green grape with a creamy, velvety body and bright berry and apple acidity, closing on hazelnut and rich, creamy milk chocolate. Both lots are available in 30kg bags. Reach out to your Bennetts Account Manager to find out more or to place an order!
Picking cherries at Familia Afonso DEFECT TRAINING IN HOBART Last month, Georgia and Nathan travelled to Tasmania to host an event in partnership with Lottie Lane Roasters in Hobart. The session focused on coffee sourcing and grading, with a particular emphasis on green bean defects and their impact on the final cup. Through a guided cupping, attendees tasted defects firsthand, alongside coffees processed using different methods, allowing them to compare how these variables shape flavour profiles. The response from the Hobart coffee community was fantastic, with guests leaving with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the craft behind every brew. We’re planning to bring this event to Melbourne—and beyond, so keep an eye out for upcoming dates. We’d love to share this experience with coffee lovers across the country.
Highlights from Tasmanian cupping
BENNETTS BEANS & BANTER Bring your palate, curiosity, and conversation! As we touched on in our last newsletter, we’re launching a monthly cupping and industry talk designed for roasters, baristas, and coffee professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve. Each session will showcase a fresh lineup of coffees from around the globe, giving you the chance to taste through origin diversity, processing styles, and emerging flavour profiles side-by-side. It’s a hands-on opportunity to deepen your sensory skills, explore sourcing insights, and discover coffees that could define your next roast. From time to time, we’ll also welcome international supply partners to present firsthand perspectives from origin, adding deeper context to what’s in the cup. Beyond the table, these gatherings are about connection and shared knowledge. Each session will open with an informal talk or discussion covering topics like origin trends, logistics, sustainability, and market dynamics, paired with open dialogue among peers. Whether you’re an existing client or part of the broader coffee community, you’re warmly welcome to join us. We look forward to building a regular space where the Australian coffee industry can learn, taste, and grow together. Our first session is set for Thursday 18th of June at our HQ in Kew, Victora. Following Julian and Aislinn’s recent visit to our suppliers in Papua New Guinea, they returned with a wealth of knowledge about the region and its diverse coffee grades, and of course – coffees! We would love to share it all at our first Bennetts Beans & Banter. Head to Eventbrite for details and secure your spot; the event is free! Drying beds in Papua New Guinea
UPCOMING KING’S BIRTHDAY OFFICE CLOSURE & STOCK TAKE WAREHOUSE CLOSURES Lastly, please be advised our office will be closed on Monday 8th June for the King’s Birthday - there will be no orders processed on this day. Both the Victorian and NSW Warehouses will be closed on the 8th of June, therefore we are unable to arrange for any orders to be despatched or delivered on this day. To avoid any delays, we kindly ask that you place your orders as early as possible. Additionally, our national warehouses will be closed for stocktakes on the below dates. There will be no orders processed, despatched or delivered on these days. To avoid any delays, we kindly ask that you place your orders as early as possible. The scheduled stocktake dates are as follows: Sydney Warehouse: Friday, 19 June 2026 Brisbane Warehouse: Friday, 19 June 2026 Perth Warehouse: Friday, 19 June 2026 Melbourne Warehouse : Friday, 26 June 2026 If you have any queries, please contact your Bennetts Account Manager, or our office on (03) 9853 0328.
Happy Roasting, The Bennetts Team |
