Coffee

Author - Tobias Robinson
Author
Tobias Robinson
Tobias is a UK director and partner at Investing.co.uk. He provides commentary on the financial markets in the UK and supports the testing team with first-hand observations from over two decades of active trading.
Editor - James Barra
Editor
James Barra
James is a UK-based writer and investor with consultancy experience at some of Britain's largest financial organisations. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a row of investing websites.
Fact Checker - William Berg
Fact Checker
William Berg
William is an experienced investment writer with a history in forex trading software localization and IPO consultancy. He contributes as an author and fact-checker for established financial websites.

Coffee is one of the most widely traded commodities globally, with annual revenues of $200+ billion. This guide to trading coffee online explains what moves prices, how to trade the soft commodity, plus key trends and facts. Use our ranking of the best coffee trading brokers in 2026:

Best Coffee Brokers UK

  1. rating empty
    rating full

    Founded in Australia in 2010, Pepperstone is a highly regarded broker specialising in forex and CFDs. Serving more than 400,000 clients globally, it provides access to over 1,300 financial instruments through popular platforms like MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Its fee structure is both low and transparent. With regulation by reputable bodies such as the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC, Pepperstone guarantees a safe trading environment for traders at every level.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Currency Indices, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Crypto (only Pro clients), Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, CMA, BaFin, SCB MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, AutoChartist, DupliTrade, Quantower
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
  2. rating empty
    rating full

    Established in Poland in 2002, XTB caters to over a million clients worldwide. This forex and CFD broker offers a robust regulatory framework, a diverse range of assets, and prioritises trader satisfaction. It provides an intuitive proprietary platform equipped with excellent tools to support aspiring traders.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs on shares, Indices, ETFs, Raw Materials, Forex currencies, cryptocurrencies, Real shares, Real ETFs FCA, CySEC, KNF, DFSA, FSC xStation
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:30
  3. rating empty
    rating full

    Founded in 1974, IG is a part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly listed brokerage (LSE: IGG). The company provides spread betting, CFD, and forex trading, offering access to over 17,000 markets. Its platforms and investing apps are notably user-friendly. Over the past 50 years, IG has consistently been an industry leader, excelling in all essential areas for traders.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM, JFSA Web, L2 Dealer, MT4, TradingView, AutoChartist, TradingCentral, ProRealTime
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $0 0.01 Lots 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)
  4. rating empty
    rating full

    Established in 1999, FOREX.com is now integrated into StoneX, a prominent financial services entity catering to more than one million clients globally. The broker is regulated in numerous jurisdictions, including the US, UK, EU, and Australia. It offers a vast array of markets beyond forex, delivering competitive pricing on state-of-the-art trading platforms.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    Forex, CFDs, Stock CFDs, Indices, Commodities, Futures, Options, Crypto NFA, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, CYSEC, ASIC, SFC, FSA, MAS, CIMA WebTrader, Mobile, MT4, MT5, TradingView
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $100 0.01 Lots 1:30
  5. rating empty
    rating full

    eToro is a leading multi-asset platform providing trading services across numerous CFDs, stocks, and cryptocurrencies. Since its 2007 inception, it has attracted millions of traders worldwide. It operates with authorisation from top regulators such as the FCA and CySEC. Its social trading feature is especially well-regarded. Crypto investments are high-risk and possibly unsuitable for retail investors. There's a potential to lose all invested capital. Familiarise yourself with the risks. 61% of retail CFD accounts incur losses.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, ETFs, Smart Portfolios, Commodities, Futures, Crypto, NFTs FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSA, FSRA, MFSA, CNMV, AMF eToro Web, CopyTrader, TradingCentral
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $50 $10 1:30
  6. rating empty
    rating full

    Established in 2009, Vantage provides trading on more than 1,000 short-term CFD products to over 900,000 clients. Forex CFDs are available from 0.0 pips on the RAW account via TradingView, MT4, or MT5. Regulated by ASIC, Vantage ensures that client funds are kept in separate accounts. Traders looking to copy strategies will benefit from a wide array of social trading tools.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Bonds, Spread betting FCA, ASIC, FSCA, VFSC ProTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView, DupliTrade
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $50 0.01 Lots 1:30
  7. rating empty
    rating full

    Founded in 2008 and based in Israel, Plus500 is a leading brokerage with over 25 million registered traders across more than 50 countries. It focuses on CFD trading, offering a user-friendly proprietary platform and mobile app. The company provides competitive spreads and does not impose commissions or charges for deposits or withdrawals. Plus500 stands out as a highly trusted broker, licensed by respected authorities such as the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC.

    Instruments Regulator Platforms
    CFDs on Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Options FCA, ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, MAS, FSA, FSCA, FMA, EFSA WebTrader, App
    Min. Deposit Min. Trade Leverage
    $100 Variable Yes

Safety Comparison

Compare how safe the Coffee are and what features they offer to protect traders.

Safety Comparison
Broker Trust Rating FCA Regulated Negative Balance Protection Guaranteed Stop Loss Segregated Accounts
Pepperstone 4.6
XTB 4.6
IG 4.9
Forex.com 4.9
eToro 4.5
Vantage FX 4.6
Plus500 3.5

Payments Comparison

Compare which popular payment methods the Coffee support and whether they have trading accounts denominated in British Pounds (GBP).

Payments Comparison
Broker GBP Account Debit Card Credit Card Neteller Skrill Apple Pay
Pepperstone
XTB
IG
Forex.com
eToro
Vantage FX
Plus500

Mobile Trading Comparison

How good are the Coffee at mobile trading using apps or other mobile interfaces.

Mobile Trading Comparison
Broker Mobile Apps iOS Rating Android Rating Smart Watch App
Pepperstone iOS & Android 4.4 4.1
XTB iOS & Android 4.7 4.1
IG iOS & Android 4.6 4
Forex.com iOS & Android 3.6 3.8
eToro iOS & Android 4 3.8
Vantage FX iOS & Android 3.6 3.9
Plus500 iOS, Android & Windows 4.1 4.3

Beginners Comparison

Are the Coffee good for beginner traders, that might want an affordable setup to get started, along with good support and educational resources?

Beginners Comparison
Broker Demo Account Minimum Deposit Minimum Trade Support Rating Education Rating
Pepperstone $0 0.01 Lots 4.6 4
XTB $0 0.01 Lots 4.3 3.8
IG $0 0.01 Lots 4.5 5
Forex.com $100 0.01 Lots 4.3 4.5
eToro $50 $10 2.5 4
Vantage FX $50 0.01 Lots 4.4 4
Plus500 $100 Variable 4 3

Advanced Trading Comparison

Do the Coffee offer features that allow for more advanced trading strategies?

Advanced Trading Comparison
Broker Automated Trading Pro Account Leverage VPS AI Low Latency Extended Hours
Pepperstone Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:30 (Retail), 1:500 (Pro)
XTB - 1:30
IG Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)
Forex.com Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:30
eToro Automate your trades via CopyTrader - follow profitable traders. Open and close trades automatically when they do. 1:30
Vantage FX Myfxbook AutoTrade, Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader 1:30
Plus500

Detailed Rating Comparison

Use this heatmap to compare our detailed ratings for all of the Coffee.

Detailed Rating Comparison
Broker Trust Platforms Mobile Assets Fees Accounts Support Research Education
Pepperstone 4.6 4.4 4.3 3.8 4.5 4 4.6 4.3 4
XTB 4.6 4 4.4 4 4.3 4 4.3 4.1 3.8
IG 4.9 4.9 4.3 4.5 3.5 4 4.5 4.9 5
Forex.com 4.9 4.6 3.7 4.3 4.6 4 4.3 4.8 4.5
eToro 4.5 2.8 3.9 3.8 3.4 4.1 2.5 4.3 4
Vantage FX 4.6 4.3 3.8 4.5 4.4 4.5 4.4 4 4
Plus500 3.5 3.1 4.2 3.5 4 4.1 4 2 3

Our Take On Pepperstone

"Pepperstone is a premier trading platform, providing tight spreads, swift execution, and sophisticated charting tools for seasoned traders. Beginners benefit from no minimum deposit, comprehensive learning materials, and outstanding 24/7 support."
Tobias Robinson
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer

Pros

  • Pepperstone now offers spread betting via TradingView, delivering a streamlined and tax-efficient trading experience with sophisticated analytical tools.
  • Over the years, Pepperstone has consistently garnered recognition from DayTrading.com’s annual awards. Recently, it was honoured as the 'Best Overall Broker' in 2025 and was the 'Best Forex Broker' runner-up the same year.
  • Pepperstone offers rapid execution speeds of approximately 30ms, enabling swift order processing and execution, making it ideal for traders.

Cons

  • Although its market range has improved, its crypto offerings remain limited compared to brokers specialising in this sector, lacking real coin investment options.
  • Pepperstone doesn't offer cTrader Copy, a favoured feature for copying trades found in the cTrader platform, which is available on other platforms such as IC Markets. However, Pepperstone has launched its own user-friendly copy trading app.
  • Pepperstone's demo accounts expire after 30 days, which may not provide sufficient time to explore various platforms and evaluate trading strategies.

Our Take On XTB

"XTB excels for novice traders with its superb xStation platform, minimal trading costs, no required deposit, and outstanding educational resources, many of which are fully integrated into the platform."
William Berg
William Berg
Reviewer

Pros

  • XTB has raised interest rates on uninvested funds and introduced zero-fee ISAs (for ETFs and real shares, or 0.2% on trades over €100k) for UK clients, offering access to a wide array of markets.
  • XTB offers a diverse array of instruments, including CFDs on shares, indices, ETFs, commodities, forex, crypto, real shares, real ETFs, and share dealing, along with newly introduced Investment Plans. This allows XTB to serve both short-term traders and long-term investors efficiently.
  • Top-notch customer support, available 24/5, includes a welcoming live chat with response times under two minutes during tests.

Cons

  • The demo account lasts only four weeks, posing a challenge for traders wanting to fully explore the xStation platform and refine short-term strategies before investing actual money.
  • It is frustrating that XTB products do not allow traders to modify the default leverage level. Manually adjusting leverage can greatly reduce risk in forex and CFD trading.
  • XTB lacks a raw spread account, a feature increasingly offered by competitors such as Pepperstone. This omission might not satisfy traders seeking the most competitive spreads.

Our Take On IG

"IG offers a complete package: an easy-to-use web platform, top-tier beginner education, enhanced charting via TradingView, up-to-date data, and strong trade execution for seasoned traders."
Tobias Robinson
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer

Pros

  • IG provides a wide range of professional and engaging educational materials, such as webinars, articles, and analyses, tailored for traders.
  • The IG app provides an excellent mobile trading experience with an intuitive design, earning it the Runner Up position in our 'Best Trading App' award.
  • The ProRealTime advanced charting platform remains free, provided traders meet modest monthly activity requirements.

Cons

  • In the UK and EU, negative balance protection is available. However, US clients lack account protection and guaranteed stop losses.
  • Beginners may find IG's fees complicated, as they vary depending on the trades or services. This could cause confusion and unexpected costs.
  • Based on tests, stock and CFD spreads remain less competitive than the lowest-cost brokers, such as CMC Markets.

Our Take On Forex.com

"FOREX.com excels in serving traders of all levels, offering more than 80 currency pairs, spreads starting at 0.0 pips, and competitive commissions. Its robust charting platforms provide over 100 technical indicators and comprehensive research tools."
Tobias Robinson
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer

Pros

  • FOREX.com provides top-tier forex rates beginning at 0.0 pips, along with attractive cashback rebates up to 15% for dedicated traders.
  • With more than two decades of expertise, strong regulatory governance, and numerous accolades, including a second-place finish in our 'Best Forex Broker' awards, FOREX.com is globally renowned as a reliable trading platform.
  • The in-house Web Trader continues to stand out as one of the best-designed platforms for aspiring traders with a slick design and over 80 technical indicators for market analysis.

Cons

  • Demo accounts are typically limited to 90 days, hindering effective strategy testing.
  • FOREX.com's MT4 platform provides around 600 instruments, a notable reduction compared to the more than 5,500 options on its other platforms.
  • US clients are not protected against negative balances, which means you could end up owing more than your initial deposit.

Our Take On eToro

"eToro's social trading platform excels with its outstanding user experience and lively community chat, aiding beginners in spotting opportunities. It offers competitive fees on numerous CFDs and real stocks, alongside exceptional rewards for seasoned strategists."
Tobias Robinson
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer

Pros

  • Utilising TradingView, the charts provide robust tools for technical analysis, featuring nine chart types and more than 100 indicators.
  • eToro has enhanced its investment portfolio by frequently introducing new crypto assets. It currently offers a selection of over 100 digital currencies.
  • There is an extensive online training academy offering a range of accessible resources, from concise articles to detailed courses.

Cons

  • The minimum withdrawal is set at $30, accompanied by a $5 fee. This may impact traders with limited funds, particularly those just starting out.
  • The only significant contact option, besides the in-platform live chat, is limited.
  • The absence of extra charting platforms such as MT4 may deter experienced traders who rely on external software.

Our Take On Vantage FX

"Vantage is an ideal choice for CFD traders looking for a well-regulated broker with access to the dependable MetaTrader platforms. With a swift sign-up process and a minimum deposit of $50, starting trading is simple and fast."
Tobias Robinson
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer

Pros

  • Hedging and scalping strategies are fully permitted without any short-term restrictions.
  • Opening a live account is both straightforward and swift, requiring under 5 minutes to complete.
  • Vantage upholds a high trust score through its solid reputation, backed by premier regulation from the FCA and ASIC.

Cons

  • Based on tests, average execution speeds of 100ms to 250ms are slower compared to other options.
  • Regrettably, cryptocurrencies are accessible solely to clients in Australia.
  • To access optimal trading conditions, a substantial deposit of $10,000 is required. This includes a commission of $1.50 per transaction per side.

Our Take On Plus500

"Plus500 provides a seamless experience for traders with its CFD platform, featuring a sleek design and interactive charting. However, its research tools are basic, fees are higher than the most economical brokers, and its educational resources could be improved."
Tobias Robinson
Tobias Robinson
Reviewer

Pros

  • In 2025, Plus500 expanded its range of share CFDs to include emerging sectors such as quantum computing and AI. This update opened up trading opportunities in stocks like IonQ, Rigetti, Duolingo, and Carvana.
  • The broker provides low-commission trading across varied markets, reducing extra fees and attracting seasoned traders.
  • The customer support team consistently delivers reliable support around the clock through email, live chat, and WhatsApp.

Cons

  • The lack of social trading features prevents users from copying trades made by seasoned traders.
  • Compared to competitors like IG, Plus500 offers limited research and analysis tools.
  • Educational resources are not as extensive as leading brokers such as eToro, which affects beginners' ability to learn quickly.

Coffee Trading Basics

Coffee trading involves the buying and selling of contracts for coffee beans to speculate on price volatility.

The two types of coffee traded are Arabica and Robusta beans:

  • Arabica beans are regarded as higher quality and tend to be more expensive. Arabica accounts for 70% of total coffee production and grows predominantly in Brazil and Colombia. It is estimated to trade at around $5.41 per kilo in 2024.
  • Robusta beans grow in hotter climates and can withstand more extreme weather conditions. It has a higher caffeine content and a more bitter taste. It is estimated to trade at around $2.11 per kilo in 2024.

The price of Arabica tends to be more stable, whereas Robusta can be more volatile, attracting active traders with a higher risk appetite.

How To Trade Coffee

There are a number of ways to trade coffee in the UK:

  • Futures: Futures contracts allow investors to lock in a price at a set point in the future and are often used for speculation or hedging. They are popular due to their high liquidity and high volatility. Futures contracts come with the expectation that a physical exchange of goods will take place which makes them trickier for individual investors. However, most contracts are traded prior to expiration.
  • Options: Coffee options can be traded on exchanges like the ICE and NYMEX. Options give traders the right but not the obligation to trade coffee at a specific price and date in the future. Options are often used to limit losses, as it is not possible to lose more than the premium.
  • CFDs: Contracts for difference (CFDs) are a straightforward prediction of the direction that the price of coffee will move. Traders will either earn or pay the difference between the opening and closing of the contract. CFDs are offered by many retail brokers along with leverage, allowing traders to boost their purchasing power with a small upfront investment. Both long and short positions can be taken with coffee CFDs.
  • Spread betting: Like CFDs, spread betting also involves making a call on the underlying price movement of coffee. Spread betting can only be executed over the counter (OTC) and profits are usually tax-free in the UK. Spread bets are particularly popular with short-term traders. CMC Markets is the best UK broker that offers spread betting on coffee.
  • Stocks: Trading stocks in coffee production companies is not easily accessible as most firms are privately owned. However, investors can buy shares in companies involved in the refinement and sale of coffee-related products, including Starbucks, Nestle, and JM Smucker.
  • ETFs: Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be used to trade coffee similar to stock trading. They are traded on an exchange and track the performance of a group of commodities or companies. ETFs are often used as a means of spreading risk and diversifying portfolios. One of the most popular coffee ETFs is the iPath Dow Jones-UBS Coffee Subindex Total Return ETN.

Today’s Price Chart

History Of Coffee Trading

Coffee trading can be traced back to the Ethiopian peninsula as early as the 15th century. As its popularity grew, it moved east to the Arabian peninsula, on to Europe in the 17th century, and in the mid-1600s, it arrived in New York.

In the 16th Century, Istanbul became the coffee epicentre of the world. The opening of the first coffee house in 1553 was quickly followed by many more. As the popularity of the beans grew, competition between regions grew. It became a valuable commodity and was exchanged for a range of goods and currencies.

Some of these early coffee houses went on to become large financial institutions, such as Lloyds of London.

Today, coffee is mostly cultivated in Central and Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia and India. Brazil is the largest producer of coffee in the world, accounting for close to 50% of all coffee production globally.

More than 2 billion cups of coffee are now consumed every day.

Factors That Affect The Price Of Coffee

  • Environmental changes: The climate can affect the supply of coffee beans which can in turn affect the price. For example, if there is a frost that wipes out all the coffee plants in a particular region, supply will decrease. This is what happened in the winter of 1977, when prices soared to 339.86 cents, up from 45 cents just two years earlier. Climate change is likely to have a big impact on coffee prices over the decades to come as extremes in weather wreak havoc on agriculture.
  • Politics: Geopolitical events can also affect coffee trading prices. Disruption of global supply chains can lead to price hikes. Coffee is grown in regions prone to political unrest, including Brazil, Columbia, Honduras, and Ethiopia.
  • Oil prices: When the price of oil rises, transportation costs increase, which can be reflected in the market price of coffee. The soft commodity often travels great distances, from the fields in Brazil to coffee shops in London. Long supply chains mean that any changes in transportation costs can have a large impact on coffee prices.
  • Disposable income: Unlike other soft commodities like wheat, coffee is not a necessity. As a result, economic downturns and a squeeze in household incomes may lead to a fall in coffee demand.
  • Consumer trends: The price of coffee can be affected by consumer trends and perceived health advantages (or disadvantages). If coffee consumption rises to the same level as tea consumption in countries like China, demand, and in turn prices, may rise.
  • Price of the US dollar: As coffee is primarily priced in dollars, fluctuations in the strength of the US dollar will impact the price of coffee. As the dollar rises, coffee prices tend to fall, and vice versa.

Why Trade Coffee?

Like oil, gold and silver, coffee has many characteristics that make it an attractive commodity for traders:

  • Trading vehicles: There are multiple investment vehicles that can be used to trade coffee including futures, options, CFDs and ETFs. Each caters to different trading strategies and investment goals, for example, CFDs are popular with short-term traders and ETFs with long-term investors.
  • Volatility: Coffee is a volatile commodity. Its price is influenced by a number of factors which can make it difficult to accurately forecast prices, including climate and geopolitics. However, this volatility provides opportunities for traders with a healthy risk appetite.
  • Volume: Coffee is a staple part of the food and beverage industry and the most consumed drink globally. As a result, coffee is traded in huge volumes, meaning traders can fill orders with low fees.

How To Compare Coffee Brokers

Key comparison points when choosing between coffee trading brokers, platforms and apps include:

  • Fees: Look for tight spreads, low commissions and overnight charges, plus no inactivity fees. Pepperstone, for instance, offers coffee CFDs with an average spread of 0.4 pips, 1:10 leverage for UK traders, and a contract size per lot of 10,000 lbs.
  • Security: The top brokers with coffee trading in the UK hold a license with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Also check for negative balance protection and a secure platform and trading app.
  • Usability: Active coffee trading strategies require a stable and reliable platform. Check for fast execution speeds, no slippage and mobile compatibility. MetaTrader 4 and/or MetaTrader 5 are offered by most leading coffee brokers.
  • Customer support: Beginners, in particular, will prefer a brokerage with good customer support via live chat, telephone, email or online query form. Both XTB and CMC Markets, for instance, offer 24/5 customer support.
  • Added features: The best coffee brokers offer analyst insights and data into coffee trends. Their economic calendar may also highlight relevant announcements and reports, for example, output projections in key producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam.
  • Opening hours: Coffee trading times vary between exchanges and brokers but typically run Monday to Friday, 09:15 to 18:29 (GMT).

Bottom Line On Coffee Trading

Coffee continues to be a popular commodity for online trading. It is a highly liquid and volatile asset, presenting opportunities for the right trader. Some of the most popular coffee trading vehicles available today include CFDs, futures, options and ETFs. Get started by signing up with one of the best coffee brokers.

FAQ

What Factors Influence The Price Of Coffee?

Factors that influence the price of coffee include the weather, for example, frosts that destroy coffee plants in key producing countries like Brazil, Vietnam and Columbia. Other factors that can impact coffee prices are rising oil prices which can increase transportation costs, the value of the US dollar, and changes in consumer trends and the level of disposable income in large consumption countries, such as the US.

Is Coffee Trading Profitable?

Coffee is a relatively volatile commodity, experiencing significant price action in recent years. This means potential returns for successful traders. However, unpredictable factors like the weather and geopolitical events can make it difficult to forecast coffee prices. Ultimately, make sure you have a risk management system and only invest what you can afford to lose.

How Can I Learn How To Trade Coffee?

See our guide to coffee trading online to get started. Our team unpack different trading methods, from futures and options to CFDs and ETFs. The top coffee brokers also offer strategy tutorials and insights into the coffee market and current trends, including CMC Markets.

Which Is The Top Coffee Broker In The UK?

Leading coffee trading brokers in the UK include Pepperstone, XTB and CMC Markets. These brokerages offer stable trading platforms and apps, leveraged coffee instruments, tight spreads, plus oversight from the Financial Conduct Authority. Head to our table of coffee brokers for more options.

Article Sources

S&P Global coffee market analysis

Coffee price data and volumes

CMC Markets coffee trading guide