Federal Exchange Shows Record Coffee and Yerba Mate Prices, Raising Farmer Anxiety

The Federal Exchange reported yesterday that the average price of coffee rose to ₣1.85 per kilogram and yerba mate to ₣2.10 per kilogram, the highest levels recorded since the market opened in 1995. Traders in Meridian noted the surge followed a sharp decline in global supply and a favourable euro‑florin peg.

In San Vicente, the Cooperative Council convened an emergency session to assess how the price jump will affect member farms. Council member José Martínez warned that while higher prices improve cash flow, the benefit reaches only those farms already registered with the Federal Office for Cooperative Affairs. Unregistered growers risk being excluded from the exchange altogether.

The council also flagged a pending enforcement directive that will require all agricultural traders to hold a cooperative membership by the end of the year. The story continues with reactions from farmers, officials, and market analysts.