What Is the International Coffee Organization (ICO)?

In the 19th century, coffee became one of the world’s most traded commodities—generating foreign income for exporting nations and livelihoods for farmers. But without coordination, volatile prices and inconsistent product standards disrupted the market. By the mid-20th century, these issues demanded international cooperation.

The International Coffee Organization (ICO) was established in 1962 after a key meeting in New York ended prior fragmented treaties. It united major coffee-producing and -consuming nations to manage global coffee trade through agreed policies. Its early agreements successfully stabilized prices from the 1960s to 1980s.

Why the ICO Was Created

Prior to the ICO, global coffee trade suffered from price instability and varying product standards caused by uncoordinated national policies. This led to the collapse of earlier international coffee treaties. In response, coffee-producing and -consuming countries came together in 1962 during a meeting in New York to form the ICO, aiming to create a structured framework for managing global coffee trade.

How the ICO Works

The ICO operates through international agreements signed by its member countries. The initial series of treaties, effective from the 1960s through the 1980s, focused on stabilizing coffee prices. These agreements provided a mechanism for managing supply and demand to maintain fair and consistent pricing on the global market.

Shift in Focus After 1994

The 1994 agreement marked a shift from market regulation to providing advisory services. Instead of controlling prices, the focus turned to supporting coffee-producing nations with development plans. These included initiatives to improve coffee quality, boost global consumption, protect coffee trees, and enhance market mechanisms. The ICO began facilitating research and addressing critical issues affecting the global coffee industry.

ICO Member Coffee-Producing Countries

The ICO includes 51 coffee-producing nations. These are:

• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Guadeloupe
• Guatemala
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Jamaica
• Martinique
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Puerto Rico
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Peru
• Surinam
• Venezuela
• Angola
• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Ethiopia
• Cote d'Ivoire
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mozambique
• Rwanda
• St. Helena
• Sao Tome and Principe
• South Africa
• Sudan
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Yemen
• Zaire
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• China
• India
• Indonesia
• La Reunion
• Philippines
• Vietnam
• Australia
• Hawaii
• New Caledonia
• Papua New Guinea
• Tahiti

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the International Coffee Organization (ICO)?

The ICO is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1962 that brings together coffee-producing and -consuming countries to coordinate international coffee trade policies. Its primary goal is to stabilize the global coffee market and support sustainable coffee production and trade.

When was the ICO established?

The ICO was established in 1962 following a meeting in New York that ended previous fragmented international coffee treaties. It officially formed to create a unified approach to managing global coffee trade.

What did the ICO do in its early years?

In its early decades (1960s–1980s), the ICO implemented treaties that successfully stabilized global coffee prices. These agreements helped regulate supply and demand to maintain consistent pricing for coffee on the international market.

How did the ICO’s role change in 1994?

After 1994, the ICO shifted its focus from regulating the coffee market to providing advisory services. It began supporting development plans for coffee-producing countries, including efforts to improve quality, boost consumption, protect coffee trees, and refine market mechanisms.

Which countries are members of the ICO?

The ICO includes 51 member countries, comprising both major coffee-producing nations (like Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam) and some smaller producers (such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Hawaii). The list also includes African, Asian, Central American, South American, and Pacific island nations.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Beans for ICO Exploration

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