Moscow Exchange to Launch Coffee Futures Trading on May 20

Starting May 20, 2025, the Moscow Exchange (MOEX) will introduce futures trading for Arabica coffee, marking a significant expansion of its commodity derivatives offerings. The contracts will be settled in Russian rubles and are designed for both professional traders and businesses involved in the import, processing, and sale of green coffee.

Key Contract Specifications:

• Trading Code: COFFEE (short code: KC)

• Underlying Asset: Arabica coffee traded on international exchanges

• Quotation: USD per pound

• Lot Size: 10 pounds (approx. ₽3,100)

• Settlement Months: February, April, June, August, and November

• Initial Contracts: June and August 2025 expiries

• Settlement Currency: Russian rubles

According to MOEX, the contracts will reflect global price dynamics for coffee beans sourced from Africa, Central and South America, and other producing regions.

Volatility Attracts Interest

Historically, coffee has shown high price volatility, which makes it an appealing asset for traders seeking short-term opportunities. The exchange notes that coffee futures will also serve as a risk management tool for market participants whose business relies on green coffee imports, helping them mitigate the impact of price swings.

Growing Commodity Derivatives Market

The launch of coffee futures follows the successful debut of cocoa futures in September 2024. MOEX also plans to introduce futures on orange juice in the first half of 2025. Maria Patrikeeva, Managing Director of the MOEX Derivatives Market, said the expansion of the commodity futures lineup is a natural next step.

Global Coffee Market: Trends and Context

Coffee is actively traded on multiple global platforms, with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) being the most prominent. In 2024, ICE-listed Arabica futures surged by 70%, and have already gained over 17% since the beginning of 2025. Robusta contracts climbed more than 80% last year.

In January 2025, Brazil’s agricultural agency Conab forecasted a 4.4% decline in national coffee output for the 2025/26 season, to a three-year low of 51.81 million bags. Two weeks later, Arabica futures hit an all-time high of $4.30 per pound ($9.48/kg) on ICE.

Globally, coffee is cultivated in about 40 countries. Arabica accounts for around 70% of global production, with Brazil contributing nearly half of that. Robusta, typically used in instant coffee, is dominated by Vietnam, which produces roughly 40% of the world’s robusta beans.

Market Snapshot

Currently, the MOEX derivatives market offers more than 150 futures and options contracts across asset classes including equities, currencies, indices, precious and industrial metals, energy, and interest rates. The addition of coffee strengthens its position as a diversified hub for commodity trading in Russia.