ICE to change arabica coffee futures, to price them in metric tons

NEW YORK: The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), which operates the arabica coffee futures that are the global price benchmark for that type of coffee, will change the way those contracts are offered in coming months, according to an ICE statement.

The exchange said late on Thursday that it would cease to offer the current form of the futures contracts, which are quoted in cents of a dollar per pound, and would start offering new contracts to be priced in dollars per metric ton.

The March 2028 contract will be the final one under the current format. When that expires, around March 2028, all contracts will be quoted in dollars per metric ton.

“The exchange plans to introduce new arabica coffee futures and options contracts that are priced in metric tons later this year,” the statement said.

ICE said the new contract would allow for coffee to be stored in flexible intermediate bulk containers, commonly known in the market as big bags, which usually can carry around 1 metric ton of product. Some coffee producing companies, co-ops and traders already use the big bags to store and transport coffee, instead of the traditional 60-kg jute bags.

The exchange provided details about the end of listing of several contracts, which can be checked here.