International Coffee Organization
The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is the main intergovernmental body for coffee, headquartered in London and founded in 1962. It administers the International Coffee Agreement among 43+ producing and consuming member countries, publishing the I-CIP price benchmark, market statistics, and sustainability reports for the global coffee sector.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1962
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What International Coffee Organization does
The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is the main intergovernmental organization for coffee, established in 1962 under the first International Coffee Agreement and headquartered at 222 Gray's Inn Road, London. It administers the International Coffee Agreement — most recently the 2022 ICA — for its 43+ member countries, which together represent both major coffee-producing nations (Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Ethiopia, Honduras, Uganda, India, Indonesia) and major consuming markets (EU member states, United States, Japan). Its highest authority is the International Coffee Council, which meets twice yearly, and the organization holds observer status at the United Nations General Assembly.
ICO's core products are data and convening assets rather than commercial goods: the monthly Coffee Market Report, the World Coffee Statistics Database, and the I-CIP (ICO Composite Indicator Price) function as the global benchmark for coffee market intelligence. It also publishes the flagship Coffee Development Report (the 2022-23 edition focused on the circular economy) and operates two digital platforms — the Coffee Sustainability Support Database (C2SD) for mapping sustainability initiatives and the Global Knowledge Hub for Coffee Public-Private Task Force (CPPTF) outputs. Additional programs include the Market Development Toolkit, International Coffee Day (October 1), and the quadrennial World Coffee Conference.
ICO's business model is member-funded: annual contributions are set by vote-distribution formulas under the International Coffee Agreement and paid by both exporting and importing member governments. Secondary revenue is generated through the ICO Shop, which sells publications and specialized market-statistics packages. The organization's go-to-market is diplomatic rather than commercial — it convenes stakeholders, publishes market intelligence, coordinates sustainability initiatives such as the CPPTF, and is leading the G7-endorsed Global Coffee Sustainability and Resilience Fund. Leadership comprises Executive Director Vanúsia Nogueira, Head of Operations Hannelore Beerlandt (effective March 2025), and the broader ICO Secretariat.
International Coffee Organization firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- International Coffee Organization
- Legal name
- International Coffee Organization
- Website
- https://ico.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1962
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is the main intergovernmental body for coffee, headquartered in London and founded in 1962. It administers the International Coffee Agreement among 43+ producing and consuming member countries, publishing the I-CIP price benchmark, market statistics, and sustainability reports for the global coffee sector.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where International Coffee Organization is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
International Coffee Organization business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Member Contributions: The ICO is funded through contributions from its member countries, both exporting and importing nations of coffee, based on vote distribution formulas established under the International Coffee Agreement.
- Publications and Services: The ICO operates a shop selling publications packages and services related to coffee statistics, market reports, and specialized documents for the coffee industry.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Member country contributions based on vote distribution |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
International Coffee Organization product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is the main intergovernmental body for coffee, administering the International Coffee Agreement among its member countries. It delivers coffee market intelligence through monthly Coffee Market Reports and the World Coffee Statistics Database, publishes flagship reports such as the Coffee Development Report, and operates digital platforms including the Coffee Sustainability Support Database (C2SD) and the Global Knowledge Hub to coordinate sustainability initiatives across the global coffee value chain.
Product overview
The International Coffee Organization (ICO) offers a portfolio of data, publications, and digital platforms supporting the global coffee sector. Its core products include the monthly Coffee Market Report and World Coffee Statistics Database for market intelligence, complemented by flagship publications like the Coffee Development Report. The organization operates two major digital platforms: the Coffee Sustainability Support Database (C2SD) for mapping sustainability initiatives, and the Global Knowledge Hub for CPPTF outputs. Additional offerings include the Market Development Toolkit for educational resources and the International Coffee Day annual program. The products collectively serve ICO's mission to strengthen the global coffee sector and promote sustainable expansion.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Coffee Public-Private Task Force (CPPTF): An ICO initiative connecting governments, businesses, producers and civil society to strengthen policies, promote sustainable practices, and advance prosperity at origin.
- Global Knowledge Hub
- Coffee Sustainability Support Database
- International Coffee Day
- Coffee Development Report
- World Coffee Conference
Products and services
- Coffee Market Report
Quantifiable outcome
- 82.27 million bags exported in first seven months of coffee year 2025/26
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use International Coffee Organization
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
International Coffee Organization technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
International Coffee Organization partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered secondary and core.
- RGC CoffeesecondaryParticipated in the World of Coffee San Diego panel hosted by ICO on regenerative agriculture and Responsible Business Conduct, contributing industry perspective on practical solutions such as agroforestry and composting.
- Mountain Harvest UgandasecondaryParticipated in the World of Coffee San Diego panel discussion on regenerative practices, representing producer perspective on sustainable coffee cultivation and economic value creation for smallholder farmers.
- CAFICO HondurassecondaryParticipated in the World of Coffee San Diego panel on circular economy and sustainable supply chains, contributing Central American producer perspective on regenerative agriculture implementation.
- Côte d'IvoirecoreCôte d'Ivoire ratified the International Coffee Agreement 2022, reinforcing its commitment to multilateral cooperation and to a sustainable, transparent and resilient global coffee sector.
- HondurascoreICO signed agreement with Honduras to promote sustainability initiatives and market development cooperation in the country's coffee sector.
- Saudi ArabiacoreICO signed agreement with Saudi Arabia to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the coffee sector, expanding the organization's reach in the Middle East market.
- Centre for Circular Economy in Coffee (C4CEC)coreFounding partner in the Center for Circular Economy in Coffee (C4CEC), co-organizing events such as the 'Sip, Savor, Sustain: Ethiopian Cascara' side event at the 22nd African Fine Coffee Conference. C4CEC works to promote circular economy practices and value-added products in the coffee sector.
- International Trade Centre (ITC)coreLandmark collaboration partner in producing the Coffee Development Report 2022-23 'Beyond Coffee: Towards a Circular Coffee Economy.' ITC contributes through its Alliances for Action initiative and Coffee Guide Network, supporting sustainability and market development in coffee-producing countries.
- Lavazza FoundationcoreFounding partner and co-funder of the Coffee Development Report 2022-23 and Center for Circular Economy in Coffee. The Lavazza Foundation supports sustainable coffee cultivation and circular economy initiatives in the sector.
- Politecnico di TorinocoreAcademic research partner contributing to the Coffee Development Report 2022-23, providing technical expertise on circular economy research and innovation for the coffee sector.
- UNIDOcoreICO and UNIDO co-published the report 'Sustainability & Resilience of the Global Value Chain: Towards a Coffee Investment Vehicle' as part of joint efforts to foster sustainability and investment in the Coffee Global Value Chain.
- Global Coffee Platform (GCP)coreICO and GCP signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on coffee sector sustainability, market development, and coordination of sector-wide initiatives.
- African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA)coreICO and AFCA signed an MoU to strengthen collaboration on African coffee sector development, supporting the continent's coffee-producing nations through regional platforms and initiatives.
- International Women's Coffee Alliance (IWCA)coreICO and IWCA signed an MoU to promote gender equality and women's empowerment in the coffee sector, integrating gender considerations into sustainability and market development programs.
- University College LondonsecondaryAcademic contributor to the Coffee Development Report 2022-23, providing research support on circular economy topics in the coffee sector.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
International Coffee Organization competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- International Cocoa Organization (ICCO): ICCO is the closest structural analog to ICO: an intergovernmental organization administering the International Cocoa Agreement, publishing global cocoa statistics and price indices, and convening producing and consuming member countries. Both organizations run on member-state contributions and focus on a single tropical commodity, with nearly identical governance and data dissemination models.
- International Grains Council (IGC): IGC is an intergovernmental body administering the Grains Trade Convention, publishing the IGC Grains and Oilseeds Index and market reports, and coordinating policy among importing and exporting members. Comparable to ICO in mandate, funding model, statistical product range, and multilateral convening role for a globally traded commodity.
- International Sugar Organization (ISO): ISO is the intergovernmental body for sugar, administering the International Sugar Agreement, producing global sugar statistics, and convening member governments. Operates the same membership-contribution model and statistical-publication model as ICO, serving as a direct sectoral peer.
- International Olive Council (IOC): IOC administers the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, holds observer status at the UN, and serves producing and consuming member states through statistical and standard-setting work. Mirrors ICO's structure as an agriculture-commodity intergovernmental organization with regulatory and convening functions.
- International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC): ICAC is an association of cotton-producing and consuming governments that publishes world cotton statistics, market analyses, and trade policy guidance. Functions as a comparable intergovernmental commodity-knowledge body with a similar member-funded budget and statistical product portfolio.
- Common Fund for Commodities (CFC): CFC is an intergovernmental financial institution that finances commodity-sector projects in developing countries and works through international commodity bodies including ICO. Highly comparable institutional model and shared stakeholder base in tropical commodity producer countries.
Broad incumbents
- World Trade Organization (WTO): WTO is the broader multilateral trade policy body whose commodity-related work and member-state architecture set the framework within which ICO operates. Comparable as a multilateral convener with member-state funding, but covers all trade rather than a single commodity.
- UNCTAD: UNCTAD is the UN body covering trade, finance, and development for developing countries, producing commodities outlooks and convening intergovernmental meetings. Shares ICO's public-sector, member-driven, UN-affiliated structure but operates across all commodities rather than coffee specifically.
Emerging players
- Global Coffee Platform (GCP): GCP is the leading multi-stakeholder sustainability initiative for the coffee sector, with an active MoU partnership with ICO. Comparable through its coffee-sector sustainability coordination role and overlapping membership across producers, traders, and roasters, though structured as a non-profit rather than an intergovernmental body.
- Specialty Coffee Association (SCA): SCA is the largest coffee-industry trade association, setting standards, running the World of Coffee events, and representing roasters and cafes. Comparable as a sector-wide convening body with overlapping industry stakeholders, though privately funded and commercial in orientation rather than intergovernmental.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
International Coffee Organization social profiles
Digital presenceInternational Coffee Organization financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
International Coffee Organization leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
International Coffee Organization funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
International Coffee Organization M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about International Coffee Organization
What does International Coffee Organization do?
The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is the main intergovernmental body for coffee, administering the International Coffee Agreement among its member countries. It delivers coffee market intelligence through monthly Coffee Market Reports and the World Coffee Statistics Database, publishes flagship reports such as the Coffee Development Report, and operates digital platforms including the Coffee Sustainability Support Database (C2SD) and the Global Knowledge Hub to coordinate sustainability initiatives across the global coffee value chain.
Is International Coffee Organization a public or private company?
International Coffee Organization is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was International Coffee Organization founded?
International Coffee Organization was founded in 1962. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is International Coffee Organization based?
International Coffee Organization is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does International Coffee Organization make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Member Contributions are the primary driver. The others are publications and Services.
Who are International Coffee Organization's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), International Grains Council (IGC), International Sugar Organization (ISO), International Olive Council (IOC), International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) and Common Fund for Commodities (CFC). Broad incumbents are World Trade Organization (WTO) and UNCTAD. Emerging players are Global Coffee Platform (GCP) and Specialty Coffee Association (SCA).
Does International Coffee Organization have an API?
No public API is recorded for International Coffee Organization.