What is a crop year in coffee?

A crop year is a 12-month period commencing on the first day of the month in which a producing country's coffee harvest begins. Unlike the ICO's standardised coffee year (October to September), crop years vary by origin - Brazil's crop year traditionally starts in April, Colombia's in October, while some East African origins start in July.

Crop year is the time reference most directly connected to when coffee was actually grown and harvested. When a lot specification or offer sheet lists a crop year, it tells you which 12-month harvest cycle the coffee comes from - more specific than simply knowing the calendar year it was shipped or purchased.

Understanding crop year helps buyers track coffee freshness accurately. A Colombian coffee from crop year 2023/24 (starting October 2023) is a different age proposition to a Brazilian coffee from crop year 2023/24 (starting April 2023), even though both carry the same year designation. For green coffee buyers managing freshness and quality windows, knowing the origin's crop year start date turns the label from an approximate reference into a precise age indicator.