Getting into Coffee Trading

Hi all, I'm a longtime lurker and first time poster. I'm currently a college sophomore.

By the end of this summer I'll have two commodities internships under my belt (One in physical grain and the other in derivatives of a very niche commodity). This whole time I've been trying to get an internship with a coffee trading company as I'd ultimately like to work for a coffee importer after I graduate. I've had zero luck. Even by the standards of the commodity industry it seems like coffee traders are extremely insular and secretive.

I feel like I must be going about this the wrong way.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 
Most Helpful

Is there anyone at WSO involved with coffee trading (physical, paper/futures, specialty coffee), etc?

I'd suggest to those interested in breaking into green coffee trading to start as Lab Assistant / Quality Assistant at a coffee importer, trader, or mill or at an operations desk. For example spending a few months with a coffee exporter in say Guatemala, Brazil, Kenya, or an importer in Europe.

Compared to other commodities, coffee seems to be controlled by the main 5-7 companies globally, but there are a number of medium and small players where it may be easier to get started.

 

Following

Realized this is an old thread and OP must have just graduated.

 

Corrected. Let's just say undergrads change their minds often..

 

if anyone still interested, i’m a partner at a top physical coffee trading house. 

you guys may think it’s crazy but I make more than 99% of M&A guys, and have a semblance of a life! 

I know this is a 2 year old thread but I had a ton of questions sent to me regarding it 

 

Voluptatibus dolores corporis expedita quia. Similique est voluptas exercitationem labore incidunt. Sit consequatur vero aliquam dicta nam aperiam.

Ex labore et id voluptas voluptatem et assumenda at. Sequi eum velit et non eum at. Enim saepe neque repellat odio culpa dolor quo. Praesentium corrupti nam aliquam quis corporis. Voluptas ea inventore consequatur quidem consequatur nulla voluptates voluptatem.

Dolores sunt non at molestias aut voluptas natus asperiores. Veniam possimus qui excepturi nesciunt dolore. Dolorem veniam rerum fuga dolores. Aut qui dolores corrupti dicta soluta reprehenderit ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”