Coffee prices hit highest in seven years on global supply threats and woes seen from Brazil to Vietnam

HANOI, Nov 14 (Bloomberg): Supply woes from Brazil to Vietnam sent coffee prices to a seven-year high with poor weather, shipping snarls and soaring fertilizer costs threatening to curb supply.

Arabica futures for March delivery rose as much as 4.8% to US$2.235 a pound in New York, the highest for a most-active contract since October 2014. Prices have almost doubled in the past year, raising the cost outlook for companies such as Starbucks Corp. and Peet’s Coffee & Tea Inc. that favor the high-end variety of beans.