The weather has also been a problem, according to coffee producers, experts and officials from 77 countries gathered at the International Coffee Organization's World Conference in Guatemala City.

The organization's secretary general says consumer countries have stocks of about 25 million bags, each weighing 130 pounds (60 kilograms). Nestor Osorio calls that level “very tight.” World coffee exports fell by 9.2 percent to 28.4 million bags between October and January, as compared to same period one year ago.

Guatemalan coffee producers' leader Ricardo Villanueva said Friday that “the effects of climate change are already being felt.”