ECF issues container handling guidance to protect coffee quality in transit
The European Union imports around 2.85 million tonnes of green coffee annually, equivalent to about 47.5mln bags, with almost all of it transported by sea in containers
BRUSSELS, October 22, 2026 — The European Coffee Federation [ ECF ] has published new guidance on container handling and loading practices aimed at protecting the quality of green coffee during transportation.
The European Union imports around 2.85 million tonnes of green coffee annually, equivalent to about 47.5mln bags, with almost all of it transported by sea in containers.
Green coffee is particularly sensitive to moisture, temperature fluctuations and foreign odours. Poor container conditions and inadequate loading practices can therefore compromise coffee quality and result in significant losses along the supply chain.
The ECF’s practical infographic outlines best practices for container handling, loading and documentation, with the aim of helping shipping lines and logistics providers maintain coffee quality from origin to destination.
Drawing on established coffee-trade guidance, including the International Trade Centre’s Coffee Guide, the guidance recommends that containers should be clean, dry, odourless, pest-free and structurally sound.
It also outlines common loading methods, including bags, big bags and bulk coffee transported in liners. A typical 20-foot container can carry approximately 275–320 bags of 60kg, around 20 tonnes of coffee in big bags, or between 20.7 and 21.6 tonnes when coffee is shipped in bulk using liners.
The ECF recommends saddle stow as the preferred loading method over across stow, while advising shippers to leave sufficient space beneath the container roof, where temperatures can be highest.
The federation also stresses the importance of clear communication between supply-chain partners, noting that individual companies, origins and destinations may have specific handling and shipping requirements.
ESCC framework
The guidance further highlights the European Standard Contract for Coffee [ESCC], under which most coffee imported into Europe is traded.
The ESCC provides a common framework for defining responsibilities, timelines and the allocation of risks between buyers and sellers, helping to provide greater clarity and consistency in coffee transactions.
The ECF said following appropriate container handling and loading practices can contribute to a more responsible, resilient and high-quality coffee trade across Europe.
The infographic provides practical guidance for businesses involved in shipping and logistics to help safeguard coffee quality throughout the journey from producing countries to European markets.
https://thecooperator.news/quality-of-bunyoros-coffee-still-lacking-says-maaif-official/
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