Imported coffee, fertilizer more expensive in January

THE international prices of commodities being imported and exported by the Philippines, including fertilizer, registered increases in January based on the latest World Bank report.

Figures from the World Bank indicated that global prices of coffee varieties like arabica and robusta posted an uptick last month.

Arabica prices inched up by 3.17 percent to $7.81 per kilo in January from $7.57 per kilo recorded the previous month, while the global quotation of robusta variety grew by 3.64 percent to $5.41 per kilo last month from $5.22 per kilo in December.

Global quotations of arabica and robusta coffee varieties in January were higher than the average prices last year at $5.62 per kilo and $4.41 per kilo, respectively.

BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, recently reported that the market sentiment for coffee prices is still bullish, owing to supply-related concerns in Vietnam and Brazil, the worldâs two largest coffee producers. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/01/15/phl-consumers-seen-paying-more-for-coffee/)

The research company said unfavorable weather conditions in Vietnam weighed on its domestic robusta coffee harvest while Brazil experienced âdeteriorationsâ in its supply outlook for robusta and arabica output.

Global cocoa prices also rose by 4.17 percent to $10.75 per kilo in January from $10.32 per kilo in the previous month, based on World Bank data. This saw a further increase from its average quotation in 2024 at $7.33 per kilo.

BMI reported that the market sentiment for cocoa prices is still bullish due to supply-side challenges, particularly in West Africa, a cocoa powerhouse that accounts for 70 percent of global supply. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/01/20/tweaks-in-pricing-strategy-seen-as-cocoa-rallies/)

Data from the World Bank indicated that fertilizers like DAP and urea were more expensive in January. The price of DAP averaged $582.7 per MT in January, higher than the $568.3 MT recorded in December 2024, while that of urea climbed to $380.5 per MT in the first month of 2025, from $352 per MT in the last month of 2024.

As for the countryâs top farm export, World Bank figures showed that the international quotation of coconut oil grew by 1.47  percent to $2,002 per metric ton (MT) last month from $1,973 per MT recorded in December. This was higher than the average price last year at $1,519 per MT.

Meanwhile, World Bank data showed that global prices of metals registered increases last month.

Global aluminum quotation rose by 1.26 percent to $2,573 per MT in January from $2,541 per MT in the previous month. This was higher than its average price of 2024 $2,419 per MT in 2024.

World Bank figures indicated that copper prices inched up by 0.84 percent to $8,991 per MT last month from $8,916 per MT recorded in December while global tin prices rose by 2.59 percent to $29,612 per MY in January from $28,865 per MT recorded the previous month.

International copper and tin quotations last month were lower than the average prices in 2024 at $9,142 per MT and $30,066 per MT, respectively.

Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/02/06/imported-coffee-fertilizer-more-expensive-in-january/

By Ada Pelonia