Coffee beans

Professional buyers must focus on the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) score, where a score of 80 or above indicates specialty grade. Key physical attributes to inspect include moisture content (ideally between 9% and 12%), bean size (measured by screen size, e.g., Screen 18 for Supremo), and the defect count per 300g sample. Ensure the supplier provides a recent cupping report detailing the flavor profile, acidity, and body.

To ensure market access and consumer trust, prioritize suppliers with Organic (USDA or EU Organic), Fairtrade, and Rainforest Alliance certifications. For food safety compliance, the facility must hold HACCP or ISO 22000 certifications. If exporting to the US, ensure the supplier is FDA registered and complies with the FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act).

The choice between Washed (Clean, high acidity), Natural (Fruity, heavy body), or Honey processed beans depends on your target market's taste preferences. Washed beans are generally more consistent for large-scale commercial roasting, while Natural process beans offer unique profiles for specialty roasters but require stricter quality control against mold and over-fermentation.

For bulk green beans, use GrainPro or Ecotact liners inside traditional jute bags to provide a hermetic barrier against moisture and odors. For roasted beans, packaging must include a one-way degassing valve and be made of high-barrier foil laminates to prevent oxygen ingress and UV degradation, extending shelf life up to 12 months.

Coffee is a commodity subject to C-Market price fluctuations. Use Fixed Price contracts for immediate needs or Price-to-be-fixed (PTBF) contracts to hedge against market drops. Establishing a long-term relationship with verified suppliers on Made-in-China.com can help secure stable pricing and priority allocations during low-harvest seasons.

Coffee is highly sensitive to environmental changes. Always request food-grade containers that are clean and dry. To prevent 'container sweat' (condensation), use desiccant poles and avoid stowing bags near the container walls. For high-value specialty lots, consider Climate-Controlled (Reefer) containers to maintain a steady temperature and humidity level during transit.

Utilize Secure Payment services provided by platforms like Made-in-China.com to protect your funds until shipping documents are verified. Always mandate a Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) by a third party (like SGS or Intertek) to verify that the moisture levels and defect counts match the approved pre-production samples.

Standard documentation includes the Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Bill of Lading. Specifically for coffee, you must obtain a Phytosanitary Certificate from the exporting country's agricultural authority and a Certificate of Origin to benefit from potential tariff preferences under trade agreements.