diff --git a/conda/default.cfg b/conda/default.cfg
index 2bfba1d0a4..c5f5c4a868 100644
--- a/conda/default.cfg
+++ b/conda/default.cfg
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ mpi = nompi
 albany = compass-2023-08-03
 # cmake newer than 3.23.0 needed for Trilinos
 cmake = 3.23.0:
-esmf = 8.4.2
+esmf = 8.6.0
 hdf5 = 1.14.1
 lapack = 3.9.1
 netcdf_c = 4.9.2