What is a commitment to buy?

A commitment to buy is a formal declaration that you intend to purchase a specific lot. It might be a signed purchase order, a written confirmation, or a detailed contract. The legal weight varies depending on how it's documented, but the intent is the same: this lot is yours.

For producers and exporters, a commitment received early in the season gives them the confidence to process, hold, and sometimes finance a lot specifically for you. For roasters, it's how you secure the coffees you actually want - particularly important for micro-lots or well-regarded washing stations that sell out months before the coffee arrives in the UK.

Making a commitment is straightforward. The discipline is in not making one unless you're genuinely ready to follow through - commitments that fall apart damage the relationships that make good sourcing possible.