Editor’s note

The Ethiopian government’s growing focus on its coffee sector appears to be paying off.

It recently reported a record US$2.65bn in export earnings for the 2024/25 harvest. The country exported some 470,000 tonnes of coffee during this period, driven by various government initiatives. These included improved supply chain efficiency, large-scale planting initiatives, and new international market access.

Ethiopia’s Deputy PM recently announced plans to secure US$3bn in export earnings by increasing annual volumes to over 600,000 tonnes, challenging Uganda’s recent dominance of the African coffee sector.

Meanwhile, in China, as coffee price wars continue, Lucky Cup has become the country’s third chain to surpass 10,000 stores. Luckin is the leader with close to 30,000 outlets globally, while Cotti operates more than 15,000, but Lucky Cup is now expanding faster than both of them.

China’s coffee market continues to diversify and segment. While brands like Luckin, Cotti, and Lucky Cup focus on undercutting each other’s prices and scaling rapidly, the number of boutique, experience-driven, stylish, and innovative high-end coffee shops also grows.

The world is watching as the Chinese coffee market becomes more dynamic, often inspiring imitation.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 24 Nov – Brazil fears losing its share of the US instant coffee market amid some remaining tariffs. The Brazilian Instant Coffee Association (ABICS) warns that a retained 50% duty risks ceding 20% of Brazil’s instant exports to rivals, causing lasting damage across the supply chain. Specialty coffee shipments previously fell 55% after earlier tariff measures. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Mon, 24 Nov – Panther Coffee and Mawby launch caffeinated sparkling wine. The Panther Cuvée is a multi-vintage, méthode champenoise sparkling wine blending Chardonnay and Riesling with Panther’s Wonderland coffee. It has a crisp, fruit-forward profile with a subtle coffee aroma, according to the two brands. (Miami, Florida, US)

• Tue, 25 Nov – New Swiss and Australian Barista Champions crowned. Mathieu Theis won the Swiss Barista Championship, marking his fifth win, while Gabrel Tan won the Australian Barista Championship. At the Australian Coffee Championships, Simon Gautherin won the Brewers Cup, and Amy Zhang secured the Latte Art title. (Melbourne, Australia)

• Tue, 25 Nov – Cup&Cino Group acquires professional coffee equipment brand Tone. With Tone, the Cup&Cino GROUP now comprises four brands: Cup&Cino, the coffee concept provider in Germany and Austria; automated milk systems provider Latte Art Factory; coffee machine solutions provider BaristaOne; and brewing technology brand Tone. (Hövelhof, Germany)

• Wed, 26 Nov – Ethiopia credits green development for record coffee export earnings. The government of Ethiopia reported export earnings of over US$2.65 billion from 470,000 tonnes of coffee in fiscal year 2024/25, attributing growth to the Green Legacy initiative, supply chain reforms, and farm-level empowerment. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

• Wed, 26 Nov – Lucky Cup becomes the third Chinese chain to surpass 10,000 stores. Mixue-owned budget chain Lucky Cup reached the milestone following rapid franchise growth, aided by low prices and Mixue’s supply network. Recent expansion included a first overseas outlet in Malaysia and tighter competition with rivals Luckin and Cotti. (Zhengzhou, China)

• Thu, 27 Nov – The Barista League reveals 2026 season calendar. The competition announced a six-stop world tour, starting in Prague (28 Mar), followed by Mexico City (8 May), Tokyo (11 Jun), Atlanta (3 Sep), Johannesburg (3 Oct), and concluding in Brisbane (13 Nov). Rancilio will sponsor the events, supplying RS1 and Invicta espresso machines. (Gothenburg, Sweden)

• Fri, 28 Nov – European Parliament votes in favour of another one-year delay to EUDR. The EUDR was initially set to come into force at the end of 2024, but was delayed by a year to give companies more time to prepare for compliance. If approved by EU governments, the new delay would push implementation back to the end of 2026 for large companies, and to mid-2027 for smaller operators. Parliament also voted in favour of simpler due diligence requirements for some operators and traders. (Brussels, Belgium)

Industry news

• Mon, 24 Nov – Knoops hires former Starbucks executive to lead RTD strategy. Daniel Haberfield, a long-serving Starbucks executive, will lead Knoops’ at-home and ready-to-drink strategy, accelerating upcoming RTD launches and expanding the brand’s off-premise distribution. (London, UK)

• Mon, 24 Nov – Ireland’s Java Republic returns to profit after coffee cost crunch. Gross margin improvement drove a near €592,000 profit in 2024, reversing the previous-year loss after roasting efficiencies and pricing moves reduced coffee price pressures. (Dublin, Ireland)

• Tue, 25 Nov – Ireland’s 3FE named official coffee partner of Leinster Rugby. The Dublin roaster will supply coffee to the team’s UCD headquarters and home matches. Founded by Colin Harmon, the business is set to launch co-branded merchandise and digital content. This partnership complements the company’s existing supply deal with the Irish Rugby Football Union. (Dublin, Ireland)

• Tue, 25 Nov – Dear Green boosts capacity fivefold with new roastery. The Glasgow roaster moved to a 13,500 sq ft warehouse in Bridgeton that houses modern roasting equipment, training areas, and cupping spaces, supporting the company’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2030. (Glasgow, UK)

• Tue, 25 Nov – Shanghai’s Minhang District targets the development of the coffee industry. The district is boosting the city’s status as a global hub by developing the Hongqiao International Coffee Harbour. It aims to attract entrepreneurs and businesses by creating a comprehensive “seed to cup” ecosystem and fostering international cooperation. (Minhang, China)

• Tue, 25 Nov – Greek chain Coffee Lab opens large production facility in Egypt. The new 4,000 sq m facility in Cairo will support the Greek chain’s rapid expansion across the MENA region. The company plans to open 80 new stores in the area over the next three years, bringing its total to 170 global outlets. (Cairo, Egypt)

• Tue, 25 Nov – Leon axes unlimited coffee subscription after 18 months. The healthy fast food chain will discontinue the scheme in December 2025. The programme offered unlimited coffee for a fixed monthly fee but was reportedly unprofitable, reflecting challenges faced by UK subscription models and sustained high coffee prices. (London, UK)

• Wed, 26 Nov – Keurig Dr Pepper names Anthony DiSilvestro Chief Financial Officer. Sudhanshu Priyadarshi will serve as senior advisor through 7 Apr 2026. George Lagoudakis was also named deputy CFO. DiSilvestro, former CFO at Mattel and Campbell Soup, will lead finance and technology as KDP readies the JDE Peet’s acquisition and planned split. (Burlington, Massachusetts, US)

• Wed, 26 Nov – J.M. Smucker trims profit outlook as coffee inflation hits margins. Company forecast annual profit below analysts’ expectations after coffee costs and tariffs hit margins. J.M. Smucker said it absorbed about $75mn of tariff-related costs while keeping retail prices steady. (Orrville, Ohio, US)

• Wed, 26 Nov – Costa extends UAE franchise to 2040. Costa renewed its long-term license with Dubai franchisee Emirates Leisure Retail for a further 15 years. ELR has opened 160 stores since 1999, reinforcing Costa’s presence across malls and travel hubs. (Dubai, UAE)

• Thu, 27 Nov – Starbucks Malaysia sees slow recovery after boycotts. Berjaya Food said first-quarter net loss more than halved to RM14.8mn while revenue rose 3.3%. Store count fell to 320 from 400 after closures. The CEO said recovery is slow but visible, and the company still backs the Starbucks brand as it plans selective expansion. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

• Thu, 27 Nov – Pret A Manger to cut self-serve coffee machine network. The chain will remove 110 Pret Express self-serve units from retail and convenience sites by February 2026, refocusing investment on store growth and in-store formats to boost footfall and simplify operations. (London, UK)

• Thu, 27 Nov – Strauss Coffee International posts 30% Q3 sales growth. EBIT jumped 139.8% to US$49.8mn, nine-month sales rose 33.4%. Gains were driven by higher pricing, market share growth in key regions, and operational efficiencies. (Petah Tikva, Israel)

• Fri, 28 Nov – Provision Trade Federation says UK sugar levy extension “unwelcome, but expected”. The federation said the expansion of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy to milk-based drinks, including frappes, was unwelcome but expected. Members welcomed a 4.5g/100ml lactose allowance and warned of wider cost pressures from wages, packaging, and fuel despite some mitigating measures. (London, UK)

• Fri, 28 Nov – Well Grounded and Alpro mark the latest graduation of 12 trainees. Alpro-sponsored Well Grounded programme delivered free specialty coffee training, barista tuition, job coaching, and mentorship. Since 2022, Alpro funding has enabled 59 people to complete the course, many securing sector roles and some opening businesses. (London, UK)

• Fri, 28 Nov – Pickup Coffee plans up to 20 new stores per month as part of an expansion drive. Turkish chain Pickup Coffee aims to grow rapidly by opening up to 240 outlets annually, targeting domestic and global markets to scale its brand quickly. (Istanbul, Turkey)

New launch

• Mon, 24 Nov – Solo launches ready-to-drink espresso at Tesco. Solo’s 500 ml “Ready-to-Go Espresso” is a concentrated, barista-quality coffee with no added sugar or flavourings. It is now available in over 400 Tesco stores and can make up to 10 iced lattes per carton. (London, UK)

• Tue, 25 Nov – Keurig launches Coffee Collective for its first-ever branded coffee line. The new collection, developed by five in-house experts, targets the premium single-serve segment. It uses the Refined Grind technique to add 30% more coffee grounds into each K-Cup pod, according to the company. (Burlington, Massachusetts)

• Wed, 26 Nov – Hario and PAC-MAN unveil dual anniversary collaboration. A limited-edition co-branded pour-over kit and merchandise will pair HARIO’s V60 dripper with PAC-MAN motifs, sold via select retailers and online, along with themed events and collectable packaging to mark both brands’ milestone anniversaries. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Thu, 27 Nov – Schaerer launches redesigned website. The platform centralises product specs, service, and spare parts access, a blog, a chatbot, a machine configurator, and a dealer locator, with improved navigation and localised pages to support operators, after-sales, and sales teams while highlighting Swiss coffee expertise. (Zuchwil, Switzerland)

• Thu, 27 Nov – Expocacer launches a platform to connect producers and buyers. The cooperative launched Coffee Chain, a digital platform using blockchain and AI to provide full traceability and direct access between Cerrado producers and international buyers, with an online auction on 11 & 12 December to trade specialty coffee lots. (Patrocínio, Brazil)

• Thu, 27 Nov – Pacific Foods adds pistachio Barista Series to café offerings. New line features a pistachio-flavoured almond-oat blend designed for use in café espresso and milk-based drinks. (Portland, Oregon, US)

• Thu, 27 Nov – Dekáf launches sample packs for low-caffeine and decaf coffee options. New sampler boxes allow consumers to explore different decaffeinated and low-caffeine blends before committing to a full bag, aiming to expand accessibility and appeal of milder coffee varieties. (Berlin, Germany)

• Fri, 28 Nov – Brazil’s The Coffee to debut in the US in December 2025. The Brazilian chain will launch in the US as part of a push to reach 1,500 international stores by 2028. Its small-format, Japan-inspired model has expanded across markets and targets the US branded coffee sector for growth. (Curitiba, Brazil)

• Fri, 28 Nov – Nowwa Coffee makes international debut in Australia. Shanghai’s Nowwa Coffee chose Australia for its first overseas venture, opening a local outlet and exploring expansion into Singapore and Thailand after raising significant investment in September 2024. (Melbourne, Australia)

• Fri, 28 Nov – Joe & the Juice launches in Mexico City. The brand aims to open 100 licensed stores across Mexico by 2035 with franchisee Grupo Allux-Dinar, leveraging a small-format, lifestyle-led model to accelerate expansion into Latin America. (Mexico City, Mexico)

• Fri, 28 Nov – Rocket Espresso introduces three new grinders. The Italian brand added Stelvio, Spluga, and Gravo models to its lineup, offering features aimed at precision grinding, consistency, and compactness to appeal to home baristas and small cafés alike. (Milan, Italy)

Milestone

• Mon, 24 Nov – Highlands Coffee posts its most substantial profit in two years ahead of IPO. The Vietnamese chain reported Q3 EBITDA of PHP 666 million (US$11.3mn), up 17.1% year-on-year, driven by strong same-store sales. It plans to launch an IPO within the next 18 to 24 months. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Tue, 25 Nov – TGE plans L’OFFICIEL COFFEE expansion with NYC coffee shop. The group announced the opening in Lower Manhattan, scheduled for early 2026. This third site, following locations in Tokyo and Macau, is part of a strategic plan to establish 15 to 20 additional L’OFFICIEL COFFEE stores worldwide over the next two to three years. (New York City, New York, US)

Trade & Production

• Mon, 24 Nov – Colombian coffee sees rapid demand growth in China. Production rose 17% to 14.87 million 60kg bags while imports expanded by 130,800 tonnes from 2020-24. China’s market is heading toward 1 trillion yuan, with roasters favouring clean, floral Colombian microlots. (Shanghai, China)

• Wed, 26 Nov – Fairtrade International to overhaul standards for coffee and other crops. The organisation says the initiative aims to support farmers and workers by embedding human rights, improving traceability, tightening deforestation rules, streamlining requirements, and boosting climate and social resilience. Revised standards will be phased in from 2026-28. (Bonn, Germany)

• Thu, 27 Nov – Kenya urges China to remove tariffs on coffee and other crops. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe met with Chinese customs officials in Beijing to advocate for zero-duty status for Kenyan coffee, tea, and avocados. He highlighted the tariffs as export barriers, noting that Kenya imported approximately US$4.5bn from China in 2024 but exported only around US$290mn. (Beijing, China)

• Fri, 28 Nov – High coffee prices likely to persist despite US tariff cuts. Tariff reductions offer limited relief as tight Brazilian supply, dry weather, low inventories, and sustained global demand keep arabica and robusta prices elevated. Traders expect price volatility to continue, and importers may face higher costs. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 28 Nov – Gangs reportedly target Colombia coffee region where Starbucks and Nestlé operate. Bloomberg reported that armed gangs are escalating robberies and extortion in Nariño and Cauca, threatening farms that supply coffee to Starbucks and Nestlé, disrupting harvests and transport, and forcing police-escorted convoys, raising supply and quality risks. (Bogotá, Colombia)

Research

• Tue, 25 Nov – Luxembourgers ranked the world’s top coffee consumers. The country leads global consumption, averaging 5.31 cups per person daily. This high per-capita rate is partly due to the inclusion of its large cross-border commuter workforce in the national total. (Luxembourg)

• Thu, 27 Nov – Researchers flag widespread misclassification of smallholder coffee farms as forest land. Sample Earth, an open-access reference from the Alliance and CIAT, aims to correct maps that label smallholder coffee and cacao farms as forest, warns that such errors could bar farmers from EU markets under the EUDR, and urges expanded high-quality land-cover data. (Rome, Italy)

• Thu, 27 Nov – Coffee intake linked to longer telomeres in severe mental disorders. A study of 436 adults with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or psychosis-associated depression found that consuming three to four cups of coffee daily was associated with longer telomeres. This was roughly equivalent to a biological age five years younger than that of non-drinkers, but the benefits disappeared at higher intake levels. (London, UK)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 24 Nov – Koelnmesse and IFEMA launch Anuga Select Ibérica food event. The new trade fair, premiering in Madrid in February 2027, is a strategic alliance aimed at strengthening the Iberian food market. It features the ‘Bake & Ice Attraction’ area, which focuses on the bakery, ice cream, and coffee sectors. (Madrid, Spain)

• Tue, 25 Nov – Warsaw Coffee Festival attracts thousands of attendees. The two-day festival brought together hundreds of local and international roasters and industry professionals, confirming the city’s growing role in European specialty coffee culture. (Warsaw, Poland)

• Tue, 25 Nov – De Jong DUKE wins EcoVadis gold medal for sustainability 2025. The award recognises performance on environment, labour, ethics, and sustainable procurement, placing the company among EcoVadis’ highest-rated firms. De Jong DUKE cited progress in emissions reduction, supplier assessments, and circular product design. (Rijssen, Netherlands)

• Wed, 26 Nov – Alimentaria+Hostelco to return to the Gran Via venue of Fira de Barcelona from 23 to 26 March 2026. Organisers predict a 41% increase in international exhibitors compared to the previous edition. Of the more than 3,300 companies exhibiting at the event, nearly 1,000 will be international, representing over 70 countries, with a strong presence in European, Asian, and Latin American markets. (Barcelona, Spain)

• Thu, 27 Nov – coffee&climate toolbox wins Red Dot Best of the Best. Digital e-learning app offers climate-resilient coffee practices, multilingual offline access, and trainer tools. Designed with Melting Experience for Initiative for coffee&climate and Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung to strengthen smallholder resilience. (Berlin, Germany)

• Thu, 27 Nov – Specialty Coffee Association of Ethiopia launches plans for Best of Ethiopia programme. The association aims to spotlight Ethiopia’s top coffees through professional cuppings, competitive tastings, and incentives for farmers. The initiative targets improved quality, traceability, and market visibility for Ethiopian coffee producers. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

• Fri, 28 Nov – La Marzocco and Joshua McFadden team up for espresso carbonara brunch series. Collaboration pairs baristas using La Marzocco machines with chef Joshua McFadden to serve espresso carbonara dishes in limited-time brunch pop-ups, blending specialty coffee and culinary creativity for a unique dining experience. (Portland, Oregon, US)

• Fri, 28 Nov – IWCA announces 2026 Global Convention in Bali from 12 to 14 May. The event at Bali Beach Hotel in Sanur will bring together women and allies from across the global coffee value chain under the theme “Strength in Every Connection: Building Bridges of Leadership, Opportunity, and Change”. The 2026 Convention will spotlight the transformational impact of women’s leadership, cross-border collaboration, and shared commitments to a more equitable and sustainable coffee future. (Bali, Indonesia)

Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:

• Tue, 18 Nov – Panera Bread unveils “Panera RISE” turnaround plan. The initiative rests on four pillars: revamping the menu with high-quality, abundant ingredients, boosting value with more accessible price points, enhancing the guest experience through “Panera Warmth,” and scaling cafés through new builds and modernisation. (St Louis, Missouri, US)

• Wed, 19 Nov – Starbucks and Tata launch farmer support partnership. The programme will train and connect farmers to global agronomy, set up model farms and online modules, donate 1 million high-yield arabica seedlings over five years, and reach 10,000 farmers by 2030 to boost quality, productivity, and climate resilience. (Mumbai, India)

• Wed, 19 Nov – Kelachandra Coffee appoints Coffee Board veteran to lead R&D. J.S. Nagaraja, former Joint Director of Research at the Coffee Board of India, will head sustainability and R&D, focusing on soil and leaf analysis, fertiliser use, carbon sequestration studies, and genetic fingerprinting to validate microlots. Kelachandra farms 6,500 acres in Karnataka and Kerala. (Bengaluru, India)

• Thu, 20 Nov – Nestlé executive Sanjay Bahadur to retire in December. He leaves at the end of December after more than 40 years at Nestlé. As executive vice president and head of group strategy and business development, he oversaw portfolio management, M&A, venture funds, and partnerships. M&A will report to CFO Anna Manz following his retirement. (Vevey, Switzerland)

Photo credits: Keurig

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The post Coffee News Recap, 28 Nov: Ethiopia reports record coffee export earnings, China’s Lucky Cup passes 10,000 stores & other stories appeared first on Perfect Daily Grind.

Editor’s note

On 14 November, the Trump administration announced that over 200 agricultural products, including coffee, were exempt from reciprocal tariffs. Brazilian coffee, however, was still subject to a 40% duty at the time. The steep tariff was imposed following Brazil’s prosecution of its former president, Trump ally Jair Bolsonaro.

But on 20 November, Trump signed an executive order removing the 40% punitive tax on a range of Brazilian food products, including coffee (except soluble coffee, according to ABICS). The new order is backdated to 13 November and may lead to refunds of duties collected.

This decision will bring huge relief to US roasters, as well as Brazilian exporters and producers. Brazil supplies over a third of the US’ coffee by value; 40% tariffs had caused retail coffee prices to skyrocket in American grocery stores, prompting consumer and political backlash.

Meanwhile, in Europe, the third edition of the Global Coffee Awards recognised excellence among roasters across the continent. The UK’s Origin Coffee was the overall winner. Latvia’s Rocket Bean and Spain’s Ombú Bcn Tostadores also received top honours, showcasing how emerging and late-blooming specialty coffee markets are driving innovation.

In March 2026, these roasters will go head-to-head with the US & Canada and Origin GCA winners to vie for the title of world’s best roaster.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 17 Nov – Floods hit Vietnam again, hindering coffee harvest. Low-lying coffee farms in Dak Lak are submerged. Farmers have picked 10% to 15% of beans and need sunlight to dry them, while evacuations and school closures continue. (Buon Ma Thuot, Vietnam)

• Tue, 18 Nov – Safras & Mercado predicts Brazil’s 2026/27 coffee output will increase to 71 million bags. The agricultural producer expects the arabica crop to grow by 21.8% to 46.7 million bags, while robusta is seen 6% down to 24.30 million bags. (Porto Alegre, Brazil)

• Wed, 19 Nov – LAP Coffee’s rapid Berlin expansion concerns the city’s coffee shops. The rapid rollout of LAP cafés, driven by aggressive pricing and outlets in prime neighbourhoods, is pressuring independent operators, who report lost footfall, staff poaching, and rent spikes. Critics warn that market concentration could erode neighbourhood coffee diversity and harm small businesses. (Berlin, Germany)

• Wed, 19 Nov – Global Coffee Awards announces best roasters in Europe. The UK’s Origin Coffee was the overall winner, while Latvia’s Rocket Bean and Spain’s Ombú Bcn Tostadores also received top honours. Gold, silver, and bronze winners are invited to take part in the global finals at PRF El Salvador on 26 & 27 March 2026. (Bordeaux, France)

• Thu, 20 Nov – EU Council approves another potential one-year delay to EUDR. Under the Council’s position, the provisions of the EUDR would apply from 30 December 2026 for medium and large operators and 30 June 2027 for micro and small operators. The Council, Parliament, and Commission will resume negotiations before a final vote in December. The current deadline remains 30 December 2025. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Thu, 20 Nov – Italy’s oldest barista turns 101. Anna Possi has been serving coffee at Bar Centrale, a café she owned with her husband (who passed away in 1974) in Nebbiuno since 1958. Anna has been a barista for over 80 years, likely making her the longest-serving barista in the world. (Bebbiuno, Italy)

• Fri, 21 Nov – Trump signs executive order to remove tariffs from Brazilian coffee (excluding soluble coffee). The steep 40% tariff was imposed by the US following Brazil’s prosecution of its former president, Trump ally Jair Bolsonaro. The new order is backdated to 13 November and may lead to refunds of duties collected. (Washington, DC, US)

• Fri, 21 Nov – Peet’s Coffee CEO exit ahead of Keurig Dr Pepper acquisition. Stuart Heflin will replace the departing CEO as Peet’s prepares for Keurig Dr Pepper’s US$18bn purchase from JDE Peet’s. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2026 amid a planned leadership transition. (Emeryville, California, US)

Industry news

• Mon, 17 Nov – Jollibee expects double-digit growth in 2025/26. The Jollibee Group projects steady double-digit increases in revenue and profit over the next two years, driven by strong system-wide sales, global expansion, and rapid growth in its coffee and tea brands, such as Compose Coffee. (Manila, Philippines)

• Tue, 18 Nov – Data reveals the highest-rated women-owned cafés in the US. OnDeck’s state-by-state ranking names Frisky Business cat café in Palm Springs as the top women-owned café. Entries range from specialty coffeehouses to community bakeries, showing regional diversity and strong customer ratings. (Palm Springs, California, US)

• Tue, 18 Nov – Heine Brothers’ Coffee names Jessica Lord as CEO. Jessica Lord, who joined Heine Brothers’ in 2010, takes over as CEO. The Louisville chain hopes to boost digital offerings and expand drive-thru and retail reach under her leadership. (Louisville, Kentucky, US)

• Wed, 19 Nov – New York Mayor Mamdani supports Starbucks boycott to stand with unionised workers. Zohran Mamdani backed striking baristas in a walkout involving about 1,000 workers across dozens of stores. The union says the action could expand while Starbucks reports limited disruption during peak promotions. (New York City, New York, US)

• Wed, 19 Nov – Panera targets US$7bn sales in turnaround plan. The strategy includes a menu overhaul, store modernisation, loyalty and digital upgrades, and investments in kitchen efficiency and staff training to reverse sluggish sales and lift same-store growth across its 2,200 outlets by 2028. (St. Louis, Missouri, US)

• Thu, 20 Nov – Japanese coffee chains target India and Southeast Asia. Full-service Japanese cafés adopt waiter service and premium menus to capture rising middle-class spending. Coffee-Kan plans first India outlet by 2027 and 60 stores by 2030, C-United projects JPY2,000 average spend, and Doutor will open Kanno Coffee in Taiwan by March 2026. (New Delhi, India)

• Thu, 20 Nov – Westrock raises US$30mn amid rising coffee costs. Management reported a US$19.1mn third-quarter net loss as rising green coffee and operating costs outpaced demand, widening losses. The company is expanding roast-to-RTD capacity in Arkansas to improve margins. (Little Rock, Arkansas, US)

• Thu, 20 Nov – Nestlé invests £28mn in Dalston Nescafé plant. The upgrade includes a £17.5mn mixing plant and £10.7mn for two packing lines, one capable of 60,000 sachets/hour. The new lines use MONO PP recyclable packaging, reducing manual heavy lifting by 80% and boosting efficiency and sustainability, according to Nestlé. (Dalston, UK)

• Thu, 20 Nov – World Coffee Research adds robusta to Innovea Global Breeding Network. Vietnam and Ghana join, expanding the network to 11 countries that produce 40% of global supply and accelerating the development of climate-resilient, high-performing arabica and robusta varieties for farmers worldwide. Innovea was recently named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025. (Manizales, Colombia)

• Fri, 21 Nov – Lavazza boosts retail growth in China. Yum China JV reports double-digit same-store sales, optimises store models, and plans to scale roasting and retail channels, targeting 1,000 cafés and US$60mn in retail sales by 2029 to capture China’s growing coffee market. (Shanghai, China)

• Fri, 21 Nov – Coffee demand rises in South Africa despite price surge. Despite instant coffee prices climbing by more than 22% year-on-year, a MAPS survey shows nearly 22.7 million South Africans (about half of adults) drink coffee daily, with ground coffee consumption up 58%, while instant coffee daily drinkers fell 12%. (Johannesburg, South Africa)

• Fri, 21 Nov – NCA commends Trump administration’s decision to exempt Brazilian coffee. “Two-thirds of American adults drink coffee each day, and every cup will cost less thanks to President Trump’s decision to remove tariffs on coffee imports from Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer,” said NCA President and CEO Bill Murray. “Tariff-free trade of America’s favourite beverage will ease cost-of-living pressures, keep a healthy diet choice affordable, and strengthen coffee’s enormous contributions to the US economy.” (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 21 Nov – Lardera Coffee Roasters opens new facility and invests in bigger capacity IMF machine. The roaster has opened a new 80,000 sq ft facility in East Rutherford, New Jersey, adding a 60kg IMF roaster, large-scale silos, and automated packaging lines. The expansion supports growing demand across its retail and wholesale coffee operations. (East Rutherford, New Jersey, US)

Businesses for sale

• Wed, 19 Nov – Manner Coffee eyes an IPO in Hong Kong. The ByteDance-backed chain is in talks about listing in 2026, targeting several hundred million dollars in funding and a valuation near US$3 billion, after rapid expansion from a street stall. (Shanghai, China)

New launch

• Mon, 17 Nov – Balzac Brothers expands distribution channels to US West Coast. The green coffee importer has partnered with the Costa Oro warehouse in the Seattle/Tacoma, Washington area to help make some of its offerings more accessible to roasters in the region. (Charleston, South Carolina, US)

• Mon, 17 Nov – Rapha opens Shanghai clubhouse with café concept. The integrated café serves specialty coffee and light bites, alongside a retail area featuring Rapha gear, creating a community hub for rides, talks, and cycling events that blends café culture with the cycling lifestyle. (Shanghai, China)

• Mon, 17 Nov – Faema launches Faemina for home and small spaces. Designed by ItalDesign and hand-built in Italy, the compact dual boiler machine features intelligent temperature control, optional autosteam and an internal water tank. (New York City, New York, US)

• Tue, 18 Nov – Order Up cookbook highlights London cafés. The new book includes adapted recipes from 20 venues across north, east, south and west London, with café favourites such as Brickwood’s banana bread with espresso butter and Bread Ahead’s Chelsea bun. The book will officially launch on 1 December at an event at Honey & Co Studios, featuring a panel discussion. (London, UK)

• Tue, 18 Nov – South Korea’s The Venti signs franchise deal for 2026 US launch. A multi-unit agreement will commence with an outlet in Las Vegas, expanding the value-focused chain following its international debut in Canada eight months earlier. Plans target further US cities through franchise partnerships and a standardised, low-cost model. (Las Vegas, Nevada, US)

• Wed, 19 Nov – Unity Coffee launches self-serve concept in the UK. The mobile-first self-serve machine targets value-conscious consumers. Founder Scott Martin emphasises quality, fair pricing and digital UX, with initial rollouts planned for kiosks, workplaces, and transport hubs. (London, UK)

• Thu, 20 Nov – Le Pain Quotidien plans Hungary launch in 2026. The chain signed a franchise deal with Budapest’s Central European Group for a 2026 opening, expanding after recent debuts in Azerbaijan, India, and Kazakhstan, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its European footprint. (Budapest, Hungary)

• Thu, 20 Nov – Macap unveils gravimetric Supra G grinder series. The range brings grind-by-weight dosing to the flagship platform, targeting high-volume cafés and signalling a wider roll-out of G technology across domestic lines in 2026. (Martellago, Italy)

• Fri, 21 Nov – Pinewood Coffee Co. launches nationwide distribution and delivery. The roaster has officially launched outside of Nashville (in Franklin, Tennessee) with both wholesale partnerships and nationwide B2C channels. (Nashville, Tennessee, US)

Milestone

• Mon, 17 Nov – Biggby Coffee enters Franchise Times Top 200. The brand climbed more than 100 places in four years, reflecting rapid franchising and system expansion that boosted outlet growth and operational maturity, improving its standing among leading US coffee franchise brands. (East Lansing, Michigan, US)

• Tue, 18 Nov – Luckin nears 30,000 stores in Q3. Quarterly revenue grew 50% year over year as the Beijing chain opened 3,000 outlets, offsetting rising costs. Management is exploring a US relisting and further international expansion. (Beijing, China)

• Wed, 19 Nov – PTG Energy nears 2,000 PunThai Coffee outlets in Q3 push. The petrol-station operator is opening PunThai Coffee stores at a rate of around two per day, bringing it closer to its goal of 2,000 locations by the end of 2025. (Bangkok, Thailand)

• Thu, 20 Nov – Urban Baristas secures multi-site development deal. The UK Australian-inspired chain partnered with Anytime Fitness franchisee Aary Walia to open a Bermondsey Street outlet in January 2026 and accelerate franchise roll-out across London. (London, UK)

Trade & production

• Mon, 17 Nov – Vietnam coffee exports on course to pass US$8bn in 2025. Vietnam shipped 1.3 million tonnes of coffee by October, earning US$7.41 billion, a 61.8% increase year-over-year. The growth is driven by higher-quality, more value-added processing, and an expanded market reach, says Vicofa. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Tue, 18 Nov – Brazil’s Santos & Dia and Ruiz Coffee secure US$187mn investment for large-scale coffee farm development. The funding will establish a significant new farm, which both companies claim would be the largest in the world, boosting production capacity in Brazil. The project aims to enhance sustainable output and supply chain resilience. (João Pinheiro, Brazil)

• Wed, 19 Nov – Peru says US tariff exemption includes coffee exports. Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru Teresa Mera said the exemption covers more than 100 agricultural products worth about US$1.2 billion in 2024, equal to 24% of Peruvian shipments to the US. (Lima, Peru)

• Thu, 20 Nov – India’s Coffee Board targets 700,000 tonnes by 2047. India’s current output stands at 350,000 tonnes. The Board plans a five-year action plan from 2026-27, will release new high-yield, pest-resistant varieties at CCRI’s centenary, aims for 15% specialty share of the market, and to expand cultivation into Odisha and the northeast region. (Bengaluru, India)

• Thu, 20 Nov – Global Coffee Platform recognises three more companies aiming to promote sustainability in coffee. CROP by COFCO, VSS Midori Protocol by MITSUI, and Responsibillyty by illycaffé are now recognised by GCP as equivalent to the Coffee SR Code, 2nd party assurance. Recognition raises the total number of GCP-recognised schemes to 32 and makes them eligible for the Sustainable Coffee Purchases 2026 report. Assessments were conducted via the Equivalence Mechanism 2.0 with the International Trade Centre to verify governance, assurance, and claims integrity. (Bonn, Germany)

• Thu, 20 Nov – Kenyan Court suspends direct settlement system for coffee farmers. Kerugoya High Court ordered a stay on the Direct Settlement System until 20 May 2026 after farmers challenged the programme, citing inadequate county-level public participation and lack of parliamentary approval. The scheme valued deliveries at KSh40/kg with 80% routed to farmer accounts. (Kerugoya, Kenya)

• Fri, 21 Nov – Ghana coffee federation aims to revitalise the sector for broader benefit. The Coffee Federation Ghana launched a strategic plan during Ghana Coffee Week to boost production, improve infrastructure, support farmers with seedlings and training, and expand both domestic and export markets, calling on government and financial institutions to invest. (Accra, Ghana)

Research

• Mon, 17 Nov – Review links coffee to mixed effects on digestive tumours. The study summarises evidence suggesting that coffee’s antioxidants may help reduce the risk of some digestive cancers, although findings vary by tumour type and intake level. The authors emphasise the need for more accurate data on safe and beneficial consumption. (Beijing, China)

• Thu, 20 Nov – New study links coffee to neurocognitive benefits. The paper reports that regular coffee and caffeine intake may support alertness, mood, and some memory functions, while excessive use can cause sleep disruption or anxiety. The authors highlight that overall, moderate consumption is safe for most adults. (San Diego, California, US)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 17 Nov – World AeroPress Championship 2025 set for 5 & 6 December. The event will feature national and regional winners from over 60 countries. Side programmes include a roasters’ village and a bakers’ lane showcasing local and international vendors. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Tue, 18 Nov – Brazil crowns 2026 national Barista, Latte Art and CIGS champions. Daniel Vaz took the Barista title for a second time, Eduardo Olímpio won a third Latte Art crown, and Leonardo Oliva claimed his second Coffee in Good Spirits title. Competitions ran at SIC 2025, qualifying winners for the 2026 World Coffee Championships. (Belo Horizonte, Brazil)

• Wed, 19 Nov – HOTELEX Shenzhen to showcase latest innovation in coffee and food sectors. The expo runs from 16 to 18 December 2025 at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Centre, featuring a coffee and food festival, a coffee bazaar, barista competitions and hundreds of exhibitors serving South China’s hospitality market. (Shenzhen, China)

• Thu, 20 Nov – Mexico wins 2025 LAC Barista Championship. Edson Rodríguez from Mexico took the top spot at the competition, organised by Starbucks. A total of 18 Starbucks baristas from across Latin America and the Caribbean took part. (San José, Costa Rica)

• Fri, 20 Nov – New rules and regulations for 2026 World Cup Tasters Championship. Competitors must clearly call “time” to ensure accurate recording, and only the time officially documented by the timekeeper and/or head judge will be used for scoring. The 2026 World Cup Tasters Championship will be held from 7 to 9 May 2026 at World of Coffee Bangkok in Bangkok, Thailand. (Irvine, California, US)

Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:

• Wed, 12 Nov – Brazil coffee exports fall 20% in October. October exports totalled 4.141 million 60kg bags, and revenue rose 12.6% to US$1.654 bn. Cecafé cites port bottlenecks, lower crop potential, and a 50% US tariff that cut US imports by 51.5%. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Thu, 13 Nov – Canada’s Blenz Coffee enters India through a master franchise deal. Blenz Coffee, with over 60 stores in Canada, has signed a Master Franchise Agreement with Franchise India to launch in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune. It will adapt its menu to include local flavours, such as saffron, cardamom, and rose syrup options. (Mumbai, India)

• Fri, 14 Nov – Octane Coffee seeks investors for automated café expansion. The coffee chain plans to roll out automated locations offering coffee, pastries, and cold-pressed juices via kiosks. It aims to expand regionally with funding to build more self-serve cafés. (Indianapolis, Indiana, US)

Photo credits: Gustavo Baxter/NITRO

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Want to keep up with current affairs in the coffee industry? Check out last week’s coffee news stories and make sure to read the latest Coffee Intelligence News & Opinion piece about why Europe is such a diverse coffee market.

The post Coffee News Recap, 21 Nov: Global Coffee Awards announces best roasters in Europe, Brazilian coffee exempted from US tariffs & other stories appeared first on Perfect Daily Grind.

This news recap was updated on 17 November 2025, following the White House’s latest tariff announcement, which includes the fact that Brazil remains subject to a 40% import tax.

Editor’s note

Following the announcement of new trade agreements with Latin American countries, the White House announced that most coffee imports into the US will no longer be subject to reciprocal tariffs.

On Thursday 13 November, the administration outlined deals with Argentina (which grows negligible quantities of coffee), El Salvador, Ecuador, and Guatemala, which will be finalised and entered into force in the coming weeks.

According to the country-specific statements, the US will “remove the reciprocal tariffs on exports to the United States for certain qualifying exports that cannot be grown, mined, or naturally produced in the United States in sufficient quantities”. 

However, on Friday 14 November, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order exempting more than 200 food products, including coffee, from reciprocal tariffs. This took effect retroactively at midnight on Thursday 13 November, the White House said.

Brazil, however, still faces a 40% duty on its coffee exports to the US, as only the 10% reciprocal tariff was scrapped. A new trade deal between the two countries, which could also exempt its coffee, is expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.

The move comes as Trump’s administration faces mounting pressure over rising prices. In September, US consumers paid nearly 19% more for roasted coffee and nearly 22% more for instant coffee compared to the same month the previous year, according to the Consumer Price Index report for that month.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 10 Nov – Typhoon Kalmaegi spares Vietnam’s Dak Lak coffee region. The storm tracked across central Vietnam, bringing only light wind and rain to Buon Ma Thuot and nearby coffee farms, leaving harvests largely intact. Traders expect limited shipment disruption, while producers monitor for delayed-season disease and transport bottlenecks. (Buon Ma Thuot, Vietnam)

• Tue, 11 Nov – Luckin Coffee backer reportedly joins bidders for Costa Coffee. Centurium is among the bidders for Costa Coffee, according to several reports. A takeover by a China-linked investor could reshape franchise and retail strategy, accelerate expansion in Asia, and prompt supply chain realignments. (London, UK)

• Wed, 12 Nov – Coffee prices broadly stable in October, but volatility rises as global inventories tighten. The ICO Composite Indicator Price averaged 326.38 US cents/lb in October, up 0.5%. US certified arabica stocks fell 24.2% to 0.47mn 60kg bags; London certified robusta stocks fell 6.2% to 1.01mn bags. (London, UK)

• Thu, 13 Nov – EU members reportedly propose a one-year deferral of the EUDR. The proposal suggests a new compliance deadline of 30 December 2026 for large firms, while smaller businesses would have until 30 June 2027. The Commission recently simplified EUDR compliance requirements and introduced exemptions for downstream operators and smallholder producers. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Fri, 14 Nov – US administration exempts coffee from tariffs. Following the announcement of new trade agreements with Argentina, Ecuador, Guatemala, and El Salvador, the White House announced that most coffee imports into the US will no longer be subject to reciprocal tariffs. Brazil, however, still faces a 40% duty on its coffee exports to the US, as only the 10% reciprocal tariff was scrapped. (Washington, DC, US)

• Fri, 14 Nov – Rabobank forecasts global coffee surplus of 10 million 60kg bags in 2026/27 harvest. The predicted increase is supported by a recovery in Brazil’s arabica production, which could bring the C price down to US$2.5 to US$3/lb. However, analysts warn that short term volatility will continue due to climate and geopolitical risks. StoneX also expects a record 2026/27 crop in Brazil, up 13.5% from the previous year. (Utrecht, the Netherlands)

Industry news

• Mon, 10 Nov – Swiss Water reports strong third quarter on decaf demand. Results showed a rising demand for decaffeinated coffee, accompanied by growth in service contracts. This was supported by higher retail and roaster orders, as well as capacity investments, which contributed to the expansion of decaffeination services. (Burnaby, Canada)

• Mon, 10 Nov – Imunika goes viral after Motegi samples mushroom coffee at APEC. Imunika, founded in Korea and the US, blends Korea’s fermentation with roasting into a mushroom-infused, lower-caffeine whole-bean product. Motegi’s APEC tasting clip drew about 4 million views, boosting the brand as Japan-US tariff talks approach. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Tue, 11 Nov – Lawmakers urge Starbucks CEO to resume union talks. A group of US lawmakers urged Brian Niccol to reopen negotiations with unionised employees, citing stalled bargaining and warning that failure to meet in good faith could prompt legislative or regulatory steps as organising continues across stores. (Washington, DC, US)

• Tue, 11 Nov – Lavazza renews partnership with Jannik Sinner until 2030. Sinner will continue as Lavazza brand ambassador, appearing at Grand Slam events and joint marketing activations. The deal aims to boost global visibility, youth engagement, and premium coffee positioning across key markets. (Turin, Italy)

• Tue, 11 Nov – Paris Baguette names Zac Sulma chief operating officer. Sulma will lead US operations, store growth, and supply chain optimisation, bringing multi-brand restaurant leadership to accelerate expansion, improve margins, and support franchise and company-owned channels in North America. (Moonachie, New Jersey, US)

• Wed, 12 Nov – UK supermarket promotions pressure retail coffee prices. Worldpanel data shows UK supermarkets ramped promotions to curb grocery inflation. Coffee brands and private label companies saw deeper discounts, squeezing supplier margins while boosting short-term affordability for shoppers. (London, UK)

• Thu, 13 Nov – De’Longhi raises outlook as coffee machines drive growth. Coffee now accounts for 65% of the group’s revenue, and professional sales increased by 40%. Following its acquisition of La Marzocco in 2023, De’Longhi’s revenue has continued to rise. (Treviso, Italy)

• Thu, 13 Nov – Latvia’s Kalve Coffee to make its French debut. The Riga brand will open two French stores before the end of 2025 and is exploring Portugal for 2026, accelerating Western Europe expansion with roastery-led distribution and local partnerships to export Baltic specialty formats. (Riga, Latvia)

• Thu, 13 Nov – Luckin Coffee prepares US relisting and global expansion. The Chinese chain is planning a return to the US primary board after its 2020 delisting for accounting fraud, as it expands globally and competes more directly with major brands. (Xiamen, China)

• Fri, 14 Nov – Starbucks union baristas stage walkouts in 40 cities. The action began with 65 stores and involves over 1,000 unionised baristas pressing for stalled bargaining on higher pay, more hours, and better staffing. The impact so far has been limited to under 1% of stores, and the union has filed over 1,000 NLRB charges. (Washington, DC, US)

• Fri, 14 Nov – Keurig pod recyclability case advances with US$1.35 million settlement. A Canadian class action over Keurig pod recyclability is set for a US$36 million settlement. The court review is scheduled for 8 Dec. (Ottawa, Canada)

• Fri, 14 Nov – Black Rock Coffee Bar reports Q3 revenue up 24% but net loss widens. The chain reported revenue of US$51.5 million, with same-store sales increasing by 10.8%. However, net loss rose to US$16.2 million due to higher operating costs and rapid expansion. (Scottsdale, Arizona, US)

• Fri, 14 Nov – Untappd adds coffee categories. The platform expands its taxonomy from 450 to over 900 drink styles, explicitly including pre-packaged coffees and RTD coffee varieties, enabling roasters and packaged coffee brands to be listed, rated, and discovered alongside beers. (Charlotte, North Carolina, US)

• Fri, 14 Nov – Café Unido bridges coffee and wine at Raw Wine New York. Award-winning Panama Gesha lots were presented and paired with natural wines to introduce specialty coffee to sommeliers and buyers. (New York City, New York, US)

Businesses for sale

• Tue, 11 Nov – TreeHouse Foods to be sold in US$2.9bn deal. Buyer Investindustrial included a contingent value right linked to litigation over TreeHouse’s coffee business. The takeover may affect private label coffee supply contracts, potential litigation proceeds, and relationships with roasters and supermarket brands. (Oak Brook, Illinois, US)

New launch

• Mon, 10 Nov – UPL launches the AFarmerCan global campaign ahead of COP30. The campaign curates 20 farmer stories and proposes a four-pillar incentive framework: pay, protect, procure, promote, to embed farmers in climate policy. (London, UK)

• Mon, 10 Nov – South Korea’s A Twosome Place to debut in the US in 2026. At a press briefing in Seoul, the coffee chain outlined a brand reinforcement strategy including premium hotel-style cakes, new digital cake reservations that grew 45% last season, Twosome 2.0 stores, and collaborations with global brands to target the premium dessert market. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Mon, 10 Nov – LaCimbali unveils Supera modular fully automatic platform. Targeting QSR, hospitality, and convenience stores, Supera offers a preheated metal brewing group (30g capacity), Dynamic Thermodrive temperature control, up to four grinders, dual milk circuits with HQM/Turbomilk, a 13-inch HD touchscreen, and an interactive configurator. (Milan, Italy)

• Mon, 10 Nov – Momentum introduces new dual-burr hand grinder. Designed for home baristas, the device offers interchangeable burr sets with flat steel and conical ceramic options. It features a four-dial grind-setting system, a cranked arm handle, and a zero-backlash mechanism for improved consistency and durability. (Portland, Oregon, US)

• Mon, 10 Nov – Spain’s Santagloria opens first store in Mexico. Santagloria Coffee & Bakery was launched at Plaza La Isla Mérida via a master franchise with Marcas INDEF. The rollout targets at least 50 Mexican outlets over five years, and a second Mérida location is already under construction. (Mérida, Mexico)

• Tue, 11 Nov – Lavazza and Bellissimo unveil Tablì packaging. Lavazza’s new machine and 100% coffee tab system eliminate wrappings. After its preview at Milan Design Week 2025, Tablì is debuting across markets with a bold packaging. (Turin, Italy)

• Tue, 11 Nov – Victoria Arduino unveils the limited-edition Record 120 espresso machine. Designed by Carlo Viglino and hand-made in 120 units, the Record 120 honours the brand’s 120-year legacy with automotive-inspired aesthetics, refined barista ergonomics and collector-grade craftsmanship. (Belforte del Chienti, Italy)

• Tue, 11 Nov – Turbo Moka pot reinvents design for energy efficiency. Designed by Matteo Frontini, the Turbo Moka features a helical spiral chamber within the classic aluminium body to accelerate extraction and reduce heat loss, claimed to lower stove time by 30%. (Milan, Italy)

• Wed, 12 Nov – ROEST launches new generation of sample roasters. The Norwegian company unveiled the S200, L200 Plus, and L200 Ultra series, featuring redesigned hardware, a high-resolution touchscreen, 5 GHz WiFi, and ROEST Connect software. The L200 Ultra doubles throughput to 3 g/h with Counterflow Mode for faster, more efficient roasting, the brand claims. (Oslo, Norway)

• Wed, 12 Nov – Remilk and Gad Dairies launch The New Milk. Precision-fermented milk proteins recreate the taste of cow’s milk without using animals, according to the brands. A barista formula is now being rolled out to cafés and restaurants, with retail variants set to arrive in January 2026. Products are lactose-free, lower in sugar, and fortified with calcium and vitamins. (Tel Aviv, Israel)

• Thu, 13 Nov – Shipley Do-Nuts launches AI ordering assistant. Shipley’s website now features an AI assistant that creates personalised orders and catering plans from guest preferences, size and budget, building 50-person catering orders in about 10 seconds. The brand says nearly 25% of online guests use it (Houston, Texas, US)

• Thu, 13 Nov – Probat introduces the GT Roll grinder for high-throughput roasting. The GT Roll series features serrated roller discharge, bandwidth-adaptive feed system, simplified cleaning access and optional IoT connectivity. The grinder is ideal for 3-12 tonne per hour production lines where consistent bean flow and reduced downtime are key. (Emmerich am Rhein, Germany)

• Thu, 13 Nov – Trücup launches HalfCaff blend for caffeine-sensitive consumers. The new low-acid, half-caffeine whole bean blend targets parents and midday drinkers seeking balanced energy. Available online with a splash of tree-nut-milk recipes and subscription options. (Palm Springs, California, US)

• Fri, 14 Nov – Too Good & Co launches lower-sugar coffee creamers. Made with cream and dairy milk, the range contains 40% less sugar (3g per serving versus 5g in leading brands), comes in Sweet Cream, Roasted Vanilla, and seasonal Lavender flavours. (White Plains, New York, US)

• Fri, 14 Nov – Black Hat Coffee opens second location in Berlin. The boutique coffee brand, founded by Ukrainian migrants, operates another store in Hamburg, which ranks among Hamburger Abendblatt‘s top ten cafés. The brand’s coffees are also available in EDEKA stores. (Germany)

Milestone

• Wed, 12 Nov – Mokas celebrates 20 years and launches its franchising programme. Founded in Salina, Kansas, in 2005, Mokas marks its 20th anniversary. The brand operates four corporate stores, has three more in development, and has signed its first franchisee as it scales a franchise model across the Midwest, featuring in-house roasting and a 50/50 food-beverage mix. (Salina, Kansas, US)

• Fri, 14 Nov – Biggby named the US’ second-best coffee chain by USA Today. The poll placed Biggby Coffee second nationally, highlighting its community focus, menu variety, and guest experience. The company thanked its staff and franchisees for their role in the recognition. (East Lansing, Michigan, US)

Trade & production

• Mon, 10 Nov – Cafés do Brasil reposition brand to highlight technology and innovation. Brazil’s national coffee brand now emphasises digital traceability, processing technology, and farmer-facing digital tools, aiming to boost origin transparency, sustainability credential, and global competitiveness for Brazilian specialty coffee. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Mon, 10 Nov – Indonesia eyes North Africa as a market for smallholder coffee after the EUDR takes effect. Jakarta officials stated that they are seeking buyers in North Africa for smallholder coffee, which is at risk of losing access to the EU market under the EUDR. The government’s support aims to divert shipments and secure markets while farmers adapt to new traceability requirements. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• Mon, 10 Nov – Coffee helps lift Brazil’s October trade surplus despite US tariffs. The trade surplus rose 70.2% year-over-year to US$7bn as exports climbed 9.1%. Coffee was among the main contributors, supported by firm global demand and high prices that helped offset regional market shifts. (Brasília, Brazil)

• Tue, 11 Nov – Colombia secures coffee export deals with China. Trade agreements with Chinese buyers will expand Colombian coffee shipments into both specialty and commercial channels, promising longer contracts, higher incomes for farmers, and greater market diversification amid rising demand from China. (Bogotá, Colombia)

• Tue, 11 Nov – Indonesia and South Korea sign coffee marketing pact. Agreement funds joint promotions, trade missions, and retailer partnerships to boost Indonesian green and specialty coffee sales in South Korea, support quality upgrades and farmer training. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• Tue, 11 Nov – African coffee sees positive incomes at CIIE. African coffee exporters secured distribution agreements and pilot orders from Chinese importers and café chains, won retail listings, and initiated supply chain talks to scale traceable, single origin beans. Organisers linked these results to the rising Chinese demand for specialty African coffee. (Shanghai, China)

• Wed, 12 Nov – Mexico imports of Vietnamese coffee surge nearly 35-fold. In the first ten months of 2025, Mexico paid 34.7 times more for Vietnamese coffee than it did in the same period in 2024. Imports for 2024 to 2025 totalled 37,627 tonnes, worth US$195.2mn, which is 13.5 times the volume of the prior year. Growth is driven by robusta demand for instant coffee and calls for exporters to meet Mexican standards. (Mexico City, Mexico)

• Wed, 12 Nov – Laos promotes coffee growing to boost rural livelihoods. Over 800 families in Huaphan province transitioned from opium to coffee farming, planting 800 hectares and exporting more than US$1.37mn, with support for processing facilities, training, and market access to strengthen both income and local sustainability efforts. (Vientiane, Laos)

• Thu, 13 Nov – Vietnam seeks tariff carve-outs for coffee in US trade talks. Vietnam is negotiating a deal with the US that could exempt coffee from recent tariffs, aiming to restore shipments, ease pricing pressure for US roasters and protect exporters facing earlier duties. Talks are expected to conclude soon. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Fri, 14 Nov – Coffee futures tumble after US tariff signals and Brazilian export drop. Coffee contracts fell 4.5% in New York and 5.5% in London when comments surfaced about potential tariff exemptions. Brazilian October exports declined 20% to 4.14 million bags, including a 12.9% drop in arabica and a 51.9% decrease in robusta, according to Cecafé. (Milan, Italy)

• Fri, 14 Nov – Gakenke coffee cooperatives gain national recognition and export growth. Cooperatives in Rwanda’s Gakenke District achieved top-20 finishes in national competitions, scaled membership to hundreds and processed over 3 tonnes per hour, with nearly 40% of their organic coffee exported to Europe and the US. (Gakenke, Rwanda)

Research

• Mon, 10 Nov – Green Science Alliance turns coffee waste into quantum dot pesticides. Using waste coffee beans, Dr Ryohei Mori produced quantum dot-based antimicrobial and fungicidal agents that repurpose processing residues, offering a circular crop-protection option that could cut reliance on synthetic pesticides and add value to coffee by-products. (Kawanishi, Japan)

• Tue, 11 Nov – Coffee linked to lower risk of irregular heartbeat. An extensive observational study found that regular coffee consumption is associated with a reduced incidence of atrial fibrillation. The effects were observed for both caffeinated and decaffeinated brews, although researchers emphasised that the study cannot establish causation and highlighted the need for further clinical trials. (London, UK)

• Wed, 12 Nov – Kirin develops fermented coffee cherry ingredient to support farm sustainability. Kirin created an ingredient from fermented coffee cherries to improve beverage aroma and body while reusing coffee by-products, aiming to cut environmental impact and increase farmers’ income. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Fri, 14 Nov – Coffee consumption linked to reduced risk of multiple sclerosis in new review. A meta-analysis found that people who drank coffee regularly had a lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis compared to non-drinkers. Authors caution that the research doesn’t prove cause-and-effect but suggests a protective association. (London, UK)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 10 Nov – The Barista League: Pacific will take place in Sydney. Set for 20 November at Oxford Art Factory, the event features a roasters village, The Barista League Café, judges including Frankie Shi and Hugh Kelly, interactive sensory challenges, prizes, food, and music. (Sydney, Australia)

• Tue, 11 Nov – Brussels Coffee Show returns for second edition. The event took place from 7 to 9 November, featuring a roaster’s village, a bean-to-bar chocolate zone, cupping sessions, workshops, Barista, Brewers Cup, and Belgian Roast Masters competition, and the Matcha Latte Art Battle. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Wed, 12 Nov – Rwanda’s Ngamba and El Salvador’s Villa Mercedes win Ernesto Illy awards. At Palazzo Colonna, illycaffè awarded Best of the Best to Rwanda’s Ngamba Coffee Washing Station (Sucafina) for exceptional quality and sustainability. The consumer-voted Coffee Lovers Choice went to El Salvador’s Finca Villa Mercedes, boosting both origins’ visibility. (Rome, Italy)

• Wed, 12 Nov – IEG roadshow outlines trends shaping Sigep World 2026. Madrid briefing flagged Spain’s 2.4% out-of-home growth, the push to integrate gelato into restaurant and café menus, India as guest country, Innovation Bar focus on robotics and workflow, a luxury hotel food track, and coordinated pizza supply chain projects. (Rimini, Italy)

• Fri, 14 Nov – SEB Professional Beverage announces winner of Espresso Italiano Champion 2025. Organised by the Istituto Espresso Italiano and presented by La San Marco at HostMilano 2025, Champion Giulia Ruscelli won using her Mokador blend. For espresso preparation, the competitors used the La San Marco La D. Multi Boiler and the On Demand Smart Premium Grinder. SEB Professional Beverage also presented a fully cross-brand booth for the first time at HostMilano, showcasing teh WMF, Schaerer, Curtis, La San Marco, and Zummo brands. (Milan, Italy)

Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:

• Thu, 6 Nov – WJ Partners backs 7 Brew to fund 100-store southeast expansion. South Carolina private equity firm WJ Partners invested in Arkansas-based drive-thru chain 7 Brew to fund a franchise vehicle targeting 100 stores across North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, accelerating regional scale and franchise growth. (Springdale, Arkansas, US)

• Thu, 6 Nov – Scientists urge UK to adopt “polluter pays” principle after woman fined for disposing of coffee dregs. The Royal Society of Chemistry highlighted the case of Burcu Yesilyurt, who was fined £150 for pouring leftover coffee down a drain, as evidence of inconsistent enforcement compared to large polluters of PFAS chemicals, and called for change. (London, UK)

• Thu, 6 Nov – Café Amazon posts international sales decline. PTT OR’s Café Amazon expanded in Thailand during Q3 with 66 net new stores, but exited Vietnam and experienced lower sales in Cambodia amid border tensions. (Bangkok, Thailand)

Sign up to our weekly coffee news recap to get a summary of all the biggest stories in the sector, delivered straight to your inbox every Monday.

Want to keep up with current affairs in the coffee industry? Check out last week’s coffee news stories and make sure to read the latest Coffee Intelligence News & Opinion article on how fast food chains’ coffee strategies are evolving.

The post Coffee News Recap, 14 Nov: Trump administration exempts most coffee imports from tariffs, European countries reportedly seek additional one-year EUDR delay & other stories appeared first on Perfect Daily Grind.

Editor’s note

Less than a month after Roasters Specialty Coffee House sold a Best of Panama (BoP) Gesha for US$680, another Dubai coffee brand has set a new record.

Julith Coffee, founded by Turkish Barista and Coffee Roasting Champion Serkan Sagsoz, is selling cups of Nido, a 98-point washed coffee that fetched US$30,204/kg at this year’s BoP auction – surpassing the previous world record of US$13,518/kg set at a private auction in 2024 – for AED 3,600, or US$980.

“The Nido 7 Gesha is a remarkable coffee that only a handful of people on the planet will ever taste, and now, for the first time, that’s possible right here in Dubai,” said Sagsoz in a press release. “With so little of it in existence, every cup feels like a piece of history.”

Sagsoz also added that a small portion has been reserved for UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his family, should they wish to try it, underscoring its exclusivity.

Meanwhile, after emerging as a frontrunner for Starbucks’ China division, Boyu Capital has secured a 60% stake in the business. Starbucks entered China in 1999 and the country is now its second-largest market after the US. However, the chain has struggled in recent years with the rise of homegrown, more cost-effective brands like Luckin Coffee and Cotti Coffee.

As Shanghai is named the world’s most “compelling” coffee city, there is likely to be renewed private equity interest in China’s coffee market.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 3 Nov – Julith Coffee sells record-breaking BoP Nido Gesha for US$980 per cup. The roaster paid US$30,204/kg for the coffee at this year’s BoP auction, setting a new world record. Julith plans to sell 400 cups of Nido, and is offering the Panama Gesha Experience as a curated tasting for one to four guests per session. (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

• Tue, 4 Nov – Better Vessel post-extraction tool, used at the WBC, available for pre-order. Developed in collaboration with two-time Philippine Barista Champion and two-time World Barista Championship semi-finalist Michael Harris, the Better Vessel removes crema from espresso to produce a smoother, sweeter cup profile. A prototype debuted at the World Barista Championship and is now available for pre-sale. (Mandaluyong, the Philippines)

• Wed, 5 Nov – Boyu Capital acquires 60% stake in Starbucks China business in US$4bn deal. Starbucks will retain the remaining 40% stake and license the brand. The move aims to accelerate store growth beyond 8,000 outlets and improve cost efficiency amid competition from lower-priced rivals in China. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Wed, 5 Nov – Turkish coffee gains EU recognition. The EU has designated Turkish coffee as the first Turkish product registered under the “Traditional Specialty Guaranteed” category, following a three-month review of an application by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye. The decision emphasises the cultural and historical significance of the beverage. (Istanbul, Turkey)

• Thu, 6 Nov – Phil & Sebastian, Onyx Coffee Lab, and La Cabra collaborate on Project III. Each roaster selected a distinct lot (using different processing methods) from Finca La Negrita in Tolima, Colombia, and roasted it to reflect their individual philosophies and styles, offering a comparative coffee tasting experience.

• Thu, 6 Nov – US Supreme Court questions legality of Trump’s tariffs, but uncertainty persists. During hearings, justices expressed doubt over the government’s authority to impose broad tariffs under emergency powers and asked whether such measures require explicit Congressional approval. The Senate bid to fast-track the No Coffee Tax Act has also been denied. (Washington, DC, US)

• Fri, 7 Nov – Typhoon Kalmaegi could damage Vietnam’s coffee harvests. The typhoon, which has killed 188 people so far in the Philippines, has reached Vietnam, bringing heavy rains and winds to the Central Highlands, the country’s main coffee-producing area, raising concerns over crop damage and export delays. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Fri, 7 Nov – Noma Projects opens Flavor Shop café concept. The former entrance to the three-Michelin-starred restaurant has been redesigned into Flavor Shop and café concept, inspired by Noma’s focus on innovation and precision. Noma Kaffe includes a six-barista coffee programme and in-house roasting, as well as a monthly subscription service. (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Industry news

• Mon, 3 Nov – Flynn Group joins 7 Brew to scale drive-thru expansion. Flynn Growth, a new Flynn division for emerging brands, will add 7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee with a commitment to open 160 locations over seven years, marking the group’s first push into younger, high-growth coffee concepts. (San Francisco, California, US)

• Mon, 3 Nov – JAB appoints José Cil as senior partner and global head of consumer. Cil, former CEO of RBI, will oversee JAB’s global consumer goods and services investments, expanding remit beyond the restaurant platform he joined earlier this year. He will work alongside managing partners and co-CEOs to drive growth across brands (Luxembourg)

• Tue, 4 Nov – Massimo Zanetti forecasts turnover near €1.3bn as Segafredo consolidates. The group expects EBITDA to exceed €85mn and a reduced net financial position following growth in 2025. Management cited a global strategy and stronger retail and foodservice performance, which improved margins and supported the consolidation of the Segafredo brand. (Treviso, Italy)

• Tue, 4 Nov – Insomnia Coffee chain sees profits climb to €2.67mn. The Irish chain reported a 7% rise in pre-tax profits to €2.67mn, as revenues reached €43.09mn, driven by an 8% increase in sales despite a decline in UK turnover. The company continues to explore further growth both domestically and abroad. (Dublin, Ireland)

• Wed, 5 Nov – Expocacer expects record US$593mn in revenue driven by regenerative growth. The Cerrado cooperative forecasts a 58% revenue increase in 2025, driven by export expansion and high demand for regenerative coffee, particularly in the UK. It plans to establish a third European hub and a new warehouse in Patrocínio to enhance global supply capacity. (Patrocínio, Brazil)

• Wed, 5 Nov – Specialty Coffee Passport initiative boosts Mexico City consumption. The programme run by Todos por el Café links consumers to 59 participating cafés via stamped booklets offering promotions, ratings, and QR profiles. The 12,000 passports printed are projected to generate MX$108mn in sales. (Mexico City, Mexico)

• Wed, 5 Nov – South Africa’s Platō Coffee goes international with its first outlet in Zimbabwe. The franchise plans further roll-outs across southern Africa with local partners, standardised training, and supply systems to ensure consistency and rapid scaling. (Harare, Zimbabwe)

• Wed, 5 Nov – Starbucks reshapes operations in first year under Brian Niccol. Niccol has prioritised cost cuts and a “Back to Starbucks” campaign to attract customers, with store redesigns to improve throughput, menu and pricing tweaks, and a greater focus on mobile and drive-thru formats. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Wed, 5 Nov – JDE Peet’s transfers shares under employee incentive plans. The company transferred 265,951 free shares to four participants and issued 47,262 shares to settle options. The issued capital remains 488,178,642 shares, with 3,228,542 shares held as treasury. A disclosure was made under Dutch offer rules in connection with the Keurig Dr Pepper offer. (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

• Thu, 6 Nov – Yum China posts strong third quarter on delivery and menus. The KCOFFEE operator saw notable sales gains from expanded delivery partnerships and updated menus, while Yum China also recorded US$3.2bn Q3 revenue, up 4% year-on-year, with delivery channels and menu promotions cited as key contributors to growth. (Shanghai, China)

• Thu, 6 Nov – Dunkin’ next-generation combo restaurant planned for San Antonio. A new 1,929-sq-ft dual-brand outlet of Dunkin’ and Baskin Robbins will open in February 2025, featuring a premium tap system for cold brews and a DD Green Achievement design that targets 25% energy savings. (San Antonio, Texas, US)

• Thu, 6 Nov – Finlays and Rovema upgrade coffee packaging operations. UK’s Finlays Beverages partnered with ROVEMA UK to install three turnkey film-bag packaging lines, enhancing speed, reducing changeover times, and enabling the use of recyclable film within 12 months. (London, UK)

• Fri, 7 Nov – Kaldi’s workers rally to unionise. Workers from eight St Louis stores organised at the roastery to press for unionisation. Kaldi’s said it respects legal rights, cited a Missouri minimum wage of US$17/hr, and listed benefits including health insurance and a 401(k) plan. (St. Louis, Missouri, US)

• Fri, 7 Nov – Starbucks union authorises strike amid stalled contract talks. Starbucks Workers United has voted to strike on Red Cup Day, protesting stalled negotiations and alleged anti-union practices. The action could disrupt operations across hundreds of stores nationwide on one of the chain’s busiest days. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Fri, 7 Nov – Dutch Bros posts US$423.6mn third-quarter revenue. System-wide same-store sales rose 5.7%, and company-operated same-store sales increased 7.4%. The chain opened 38 shops in Q3, and net income reached US$27.3mn in the same period. (Tempe, Arizona, US)

• Fri, 7 Nov – Cotti Coffee signs MoU to bring Ugandan coffee to China. The memorandum with Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture will channel Ugandan beans into Cotti’s extensive domestic store network, boosting East African exports after Uganda surpassed Ethiopia. The deal aims to scale sourcing, improve traceability, and expand direct trade links. (Beijing, China)

• Fri, 7 Nov – UK roaster Pact Coffee recertifies as B Corp with a 24.8% increase on its initial impact score. Pact Coffee scored 106.6 points during recertification, representing a 21.2-point increase from its initial B Corp score. The roaster has recently launched several initiatives, including transitioning to fully recyclable packaging made from 70% recycled materials, reducing emissions and waste in its roastery, and providing further evidence of poverty alleviation throughout its supply chain. (London, UK)

Businesses for sale

• Mon, 3 Nov – Leon founder buys back chain from Asda. The deal encompasses 46 restaurants, 20 UK franchises, and four international sites, with approximately 1,120 staff members set to transfer. Media reports suggest a price of £30-50mn, a steep drop from the roughly £100mn paid in 2021. (London, UK)

• Tue, 4 Nov – Probat acquires Lilla assets to secure South American service. Transfer of Lilla patents and technology enables Leogap to become the recommended service partner in South America, providing technical support, spare parts, and maintenance continuity. Probat will utilise the assets to pursue new roasting solutions. (Emmerich am Rhein, Germany)

• Wed, 5 Nov – Odeko acquires Dairy Distributing to expand Pacific Northwest reach. The operations and technology partner acquired Bellingham’s Dairy Distributing, gaining access to local dairy and non-dairy product lines, and extending its online ordering platform, 24/7 support, and financing services to hundreds of independent cafés. (New York City, New York, US)

• Thu, 6 Nov – TricorBraun acquires Craft Beverage Warehouse to boost can printing capacity. Acquisition adds Craft Beverage Warehouse’s digital printing capabilities and Midwest/Mountain West sites, including Milwaukee HQ. Staff will remain, and the business will integrate into CanSource in early 2026 to expand can packaging and fulfilment for RTD coffee and other beverages (St. Louis, Missouri, US)

New launch

• Mon, 3 Nov – Chick-fil-A launches Daybright coffee concept. The prototype store, developed by Red Wagon Ventures, pairs dual drive-thru and all-day hours with a specialty-coffee-style menu featuring cold brews, flavoured lattes, protein coffees, plant milks, cold foam, baked doughnuts, and breakfast sandwiches. (Hiram, Georgia, US)

• Tue, 4 Nov – Lavazza opens café at NYU Tisch’s Scorsese Virtual Production Centre. Lavazza partnered with NYU Tisch to create a café lounge at the Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Centre in Industry City, supporting the new MPS in Virtual Production. The launch was hosted by Martin Scorsese and Francesca Scorsese. (New York City, New York, US)

• Tue, 4 Nov – Löfbergs launches Regenerative Organic Certified coffee line. The Swedish roaster rolled out 1kg and 250g packages across Nordic markets featuring ROC-labelled Brazilian Bourbon and Catuai micro lots, supported by farmer-level payments, carbon storage verification, and Fair for Life audited premiums. (Karlstad, Sweden)

• Wed, 5 Nov – Great American launches Coffee PAK insurance for specialty coffee businesses. The new programme, created with PAK Programs, offers tailored insurance capacity from Great American for cafés, roasters, and wholesalers, streamlining placements through programme underwriting and digital distribution (Cincinnati, Ohio, US)

• Wed, 5 Nov – AeroPress launches its first manual grinder and unveils new limited edition brewers. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, AeroPress launched a manual grinder, which the company claims is the most portable model on the market, alongside black and white editions of its Premium brewer. (Palo Alto, California, US)

• Thu, 6 Nov – Robusta – Canephora: A Brief Guide to Loving It invites wider appreciation and awareness. Written and compiled by Polish roaster Mikołaj Pociecha, the 280-page book assembles global voices on Coffea canephora, covering roasting, extraction, sensory language, colonial history, and economic roles. Contributing authors include Isabelle Mani, Bhavi Patel, Judith Konsten, Reza Nurullah, and Rohan Kuriyan, framing robusta as climate-resilient and worthy of distinct appreciation. (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

• Thu, 6 Nov – Heylo debuts Milky standalone induction frother. The compact induction-heated unit offers over 25 different foam textures, supports dairy and plant milks, uses milk-return to cut waste below 1%, and features automatic cleaning and waste reduction integrations. (London, UK)

• Thu, 6 Nov – Weaver’s launches HAL 8122 AI-assistant in coffee innovation. Weaver’s Coffee & Tea and Wild Card Roasters partnered with Bizztech.io to introduce HAL 8122, a voice-enabled AI assistant designed for café operations and roasting support. The rollout aims to enhance workflow, boost customer engagement, and streamline training across operations. (San Rafael, California, US)

• Thu, 6 Nov – Intelligentsia Coffee unveils new packaging to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The Chicago specialty roaster introduced a refreshed visual identity featuring vibrant designs across four categories: Black Cat Espresso, Signature Blends, Single Origins, and Special Selections. The company says its new identity emphasises storytelling, transparency, and its three-decade evolution. (Chicago, Illinois, US)

• Fri, 7 Nov – Mahlkönig introduces E64 WS espresso home grinder. The new high-performance grinder designed for home baristas features 64mm steel burrs, stepless adjustment, automatic portafilter detection, quiet DC motor, and precision dosing. (Hamburg, Germany)

• Fri, 7 Nov – Grumpy Mule launches smallholder-sourced fresh-crop coffee range. The UK roaster’s new offering features Colombian and Honduran lots sourced directly from smallholders, roasted within 30 days of arrival, and marketed under the Fresh Crop label to offer complete origin transparency and freshness to buyers. (London, UK)

Trade & production

• Mon, 3 Nov – Nestlé backs Ivorian coffee and community development. Under its Nescafé Plan, Nestlé is supporting over 21,000 coffee-producing families in Côte d’Ivoire with high-yield robusta seedlings, agronomy training, cooperative sourcing, and an urban vendor programme for young entrepreneurs. (Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire)

• Mon, 3 Nov – Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung leads climate-smart coffee project in western Honduras. A four-year scheme in Ocotepeque, Copán, and Lempira will support 4,000 smallholder families, cover 6,000 hectares, and engage 20 farmer organisations, scaling up agroforestry, soil and water conservation, erosion control, and monitoring to boost resilience and incomes. (Vienna, Austria)

• Tue, 4 Nov – Uganda Coffee Company secures major Saudi supply deal. The Uganda Coffee Company signed a major supply agreement to ship green and roasted beans to Saudi buyers, expanding its Middle East footprint, boosting export volumes, and creating more substantial returns for farmers. (Kampala, Uganda)

• Thu, 6 Nov – Fairtrade launches EU-backed green transition project in Indonesia. A four-year programme, running from November 2025 to October 2029, will train 1,600 smallholder farmers in Java and Sulawesi, with a minimum of 30% female participants. It will focus on strengthening cooperatives, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting gender equity, as well as increasing access to sustainable markets. (Bonn, Germany)

• Fri, 7 Nov – Coffee futures drop as Vietnam exports rise. Markets dipped as the Brazilian real weakened, encouraging exports. Vietnam’s Jan to Oct exports rose 13.5% to 1.3mn tonnes, and increased 61.8% in value to US$7.41bn. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 7 Nov – Ethiopia launches nationwide crackdown on coffee hoarding ahead of export push. The Ministry of Agriculture has ordered inspections of traders and exporters for speculative stockpiling, following a coffee export volume that reached only 75% of the target, despite a 47% increase in revenue. It will enforce penalties and stricter oversight to ensure a full flow to markets. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

Research

• Mon, 3 Nov – Coffee temperature linked to gut and mental health. A study by San Diego State University found that beverage temperature may affect anxiety, sleep, and digestive symptoms in a multi-ethnic sample. Cold drinks were associated with more sleep disruption and gut complaints for some groups, while warm drinks were linked to fewer symptoms. (San Diego, California, US)

• Tue, 4 Nov – Capsule coffee and tea show robust bioactive profiles. A 2025 study analysed espresso machine extractions from 10 coffee and 14 tea capsules, finding that coffees were richer in chlorogenic acids and teas were more varied in phenolics. Simulated digestion revealed high bioaccessibility of caffeine (around 80%) and select polyphenols, highlighting nutritional considerations. (São Cristóvão, Brazil)

• Wed, 5 Nov – Excessive caffeine may increase driving risk. Review and campaign warnings note that very high caffeine intake can cause tremors, anxiety, and rebound fatigue, impairing fine motor control and judgment, and potentially raising crash risk. Experts recommend moderating intake before driving. (Portland, Oregon, US)

• Thu, 6 Nov – Climate intervention may fall short for coffee, chocolate, and wine. A study in Environmental Research Letters found that stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) reduced surface temperature but failed to reliably stabilise rainfall and humidity in 18 major growing regions. Only six showed meaningful improvements, leaving key crops and farmer livelihoods at risk. (Bristol, UK)

• Thu, 6 Nov – Study links coffee roast and timing to blood sugar changes. The research found that the roast level and timing of coffee intake affect how the body reacts to sugar. A medium roast, consumed with food, helped keep sugar levels steadier, while a dark roast consumed before meals led to higher spikes. (Raleigh, North Carolina, US)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 3 Nov – Finalists revealed for European Coffee & Hospitality Awards 2025. More than 10,000 industry peers voted to narrow the Allegra Top 150 to three nominees across 15 categories, with five new Innovation Awards added. Winners will be announced at a gala on 25 November at the JW Marriott Berlin. (Berlin, Germany)

• Tue, 4 Nov – Manchester Coffee Festival returns from 14 to 16 November. The weekend event at Bowlers Exhibition Centre will feature a trade show, talks, tastings, a Maker’s Market, the MCF Latte Art Championship, and the new UK Filter Championships, as well as a Friday industry session and exhibitors from across the UK coffee sector. (Manchester, UK)

• Tue, 4 Nov – Brazil’s Cup of Excellence 2025 highlights record scores and honours legend. Fazenda Rio Verde’s Gesha (Experimental) scored 91.68, the highest overall, followed by Fazenda Araçu’s Arara (Natural) and Fazenda Água Limpa’s Arara (Wet Process). Luiz Paulo Dias Pereira Filho was named Legend of Excellence after 23 wins. (Belo Horizonte, Brazil)

• Wed, 5 Nov – World AeroPress Championship heads to Seoul on 5 & 6 December. National and regional winners from over 60 countries will compete. Finalists have five minutes to brew an AeroPress coffee, which will be judged blind by three industry experts. The event features a Roasters Village and Bakers Lane at Studio Layer 41. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Wed, 5 Nov – DXB Live to stage the first-ever Bahrain Coffee Festival 2025. The event will run over several days in late 2025 with barista competitions, trade booths, cuppings, and training programmes designed to boost the local sector and attract regional roasters, equipment suppliers, and international visitors. (Manama, Bahrain)

• Wed, 5 Nov – NCA Convention 2026 expands networking opportunities. The event, to be held from 12 to 14 March, will feature breakfasts with exhibitors, the Java Lounge, receptions, extended coffee breaks, an awards luncheon, and a farewell lunch. (Tampa, Florida, US)

• Thu, 6 Nov – Hotelex Shenzhen returns from 16 to 18 December with a coffee and hospitality showcase. The event is set to feature over 3,000 exhibitors, more than ten summits, and numerous international competitions. It will also hostwill host a dedicated Coffee and Food Festival featuring national and international coffee brands and a coffee bazaar. (Shenzhen, China)

• Fri, 7 Nov – Perú Mucho Gusto highlights Peruvian coffee across 25 regions. A dedicated area in the event hosted producers, cuppings, and exporters among 187 exhibitors and 270,000 visitors, promoting regional origins, traceability, and Marca Perú licensing to raise export prospects and producer visibility. (Lima, Peru)

• Fri, 7 Nov – The Barista League: Pacific will be held in Sydney on 20 November. The event takes place at Oxford Art Factory, starting at 17:00, and features top baristas from across the region competing as teams, accompanied by a Roasters Village, games, and partner activations. (Sydney, Australia)

• Fri, 7 Nov – Maïzly wins GAMA innovation award for SMEs. Maïzly, the first corn milk brand, was chosen from entries across over 50 countries for its creamy, gut-healthy soluble non-GMO corn fibre formula. Founded in 2019, the allergen-friendly drink is now stocked in major US grocery chains and appearing in coffee shops across the US and UK. (Cary, North Carolina, US)

• Fri, 7 Nov – Host Arabia to be held in Riyadh from 15 to 17 December. The event, organised by Fiera Milano and Semark, brings together professionals from the hospitality, bar & coffee, bakery, gelato, and equipment sectors, alongside Saudi HORECA, to serve Saudi Arabia’s booming hospitality industry. (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

• Fri, 7 Nov – Ukrainian Barista Champions Pavlo Spitsyn and Renat Mamatkazin host pop-up at Naughty Coffee in Miami. They brewed coffees roasted in Ukraine and grown in Colombia and Ethiopia, introducing US guests to Ukraine’s lighter roasting approach. Pavlo focused on pour over, while Renat prepared espresso, including the same Colombian coffee used by the 2025 Ukrainian Barista Champion in the national competition. The event reflects how Ukraine’s specialty coffee scene continues to innovate and connect internationally, even amid challenges. (Miami, Florida, US)

• Fri, 7 Nov – The 2025 Trieste Coffee Experts summit will take place on 6 and 7 December. The theme of the seventh edition is “Coffee Megatrends”, offering a deep dive into the latest industry trends, from AI and tech innovation to sustainability and the circular economy. This year’s summit will feature workshops, speeches, and networking opportunities. The event will be livestreamed from Trieste, with live English translation on the website. (Trieste, Italy)

Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:

• Tue, 28 Oct – Phuc Long posts strong Q3 results, driven by delivery and food drive growth. Masan-owned chain said its bakery, pastry, ice cream, and yoghurt ranges, launched in early 2025, were best-sellers, helping to lift Q3 revenue and profit. It is expanding into Hanoi and rolling out a store modernisation programme. (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

• Wed, 29 Oct – Research from Tastewise identifies functional cold foam as leading coffee trend in 2026. Consumer interest in functional cold foam is up by 57% , while its presence on café menus has increased by 161%. From protein-packed to adaptogen-infused foams, this trend blends indulgence with performance. (New York City, New York, US)

• Thu, 30 Oct – Clearstone Capital buys Brüst Beverages. Clearstone Capital completed a takeover of Brüst Beverages, acquiring the Canadian RTD protein coffee brand to scale production, expand distribution in Canada and the US, and accelerate product innovation under new ownership. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

• Fri, 31 Oct – Peter Wright appointed Jollibee vice president of franchising. Wright, a franchising veteran with experience at Starbucks, Panera Bread, McAlister’s Deli, and Nestlé, will lead a push to open 500 Jollibee units across North America by 2030, focusing on multi-unit operators, franchisee support, and marketing to raise brand awareness. (Los Angeles, California, US)

Photo credits: Julith Coffee, Intelligentsia Coffee

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Want to keep up with current affairs in the coffee industry? Check out last week’s coffee news stories and make sure to read the latest Coffee Intelligence News & Opinion piece about how Shanghai’s position as a global coffee hub signals where the market is heading.

The post Coffee News Recap, 7 Nov: Dubai roaster sells BoP Gesha for US$980 per cup, Starbucks sells 60% stake of China business in US$4bn deal & other stories appeared first on Perfect Daily Grind.

Editor’s note

Recent tariff announcements offer another glimmer of hope for coffee exemptions.

“We want to get coffee down a little bit,” US President Donald Trump told reporters during a press meeting, seemingly referring to domestic retail prices.

The average price of a pound bag of roasted and ground coffee rose to US$9.14 in September 2025, a 41% increase from the same month in 2024, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics. The spike is driven mainly by higher green coffee prices, climate-related issues, and “reciprocal” tariffs, including a 50% duty on Brazilian imports.

As part of a new trade deal between the US and Vietnam, coffee could be exempt from tariffs, while other domestic commodities see levies reduced to 20%. This would provide US importers and roasters, who have increasingly relied on Vietnamese coffee to offset staggering tariffs on Brazil, with much-needed relief.

Additionally, the US Senate has voted 51-47 to pass a bill that would nullify all sweeping global tariffs. This is the third time that Republicans have voted alongside Democrats to block tariffs this week, previously convening to end levies targeting Brazil and Canada, signalling a growing opposition to the US’ trade war.

The bill, however, would need the President’s approval, which seems unlikely. But given that Trump and Lula recently met at the ASEAN summit, with Lula saying he’s “confident” that Brazil will secure a trade deal with the US, we could see further exemptions for coffee.

However, no decision is definitive or finite in today’s volatile political climate. Conditions could change at any given time, meaning the coffee industry can’t bet on exemptions just yet.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 27 Oct – Vietnamese coffee could be exempt from US tariffs as part of new trade deal. The US and Vietnam agreed on a trade framework to be finalised in the coming weeks that will keep a 20% tariff on most Vietnamese goods but allow selected products to be exempted, with coffee flagged as a potential exemption. (Washington, DC, US)

• Mon, 27 Oct – India says coffee exports surge past US$2 billion target. Exports reached US$1.8 billion in 2024-25, up from US$1.29 billion the year before, driven by new free trade agreements and growing global demand. Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted coffee production is supporting livelihoods in India’s northeast and Odisha regions. (New Delhi, India)

• Tue, 28 Oct – US and Brazil launch trade talks after leaders meet. Negotiating teams will meet immediately to seek solutions to US tariffs and sanctions after a constructive Trump–Lula meeting. Both leaders voiced cautious optimism, and officials said talks could conclude within weeks. (Brasília, Brazil)

• Wed, 29 Oct – US grocery coffee prices increase 41% in one year. The average price for a pound of roasted and ground coffee hit US$9.14 in September, a 3% jump from August, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics. The rise is driven mainly by higher green coffee prices, climate-related issues, and new reciprocal tariffs, including a 50% duty on Brazilian imports. (Washington, DC, US)

• Wed, 29 Oct – Investment firm KKR in talks to acquire Costa Coffee. Sky News reports that the private equity firm is among the bidders in preliminary talks with Coca-Cola and its advisers at Lazard as the owner seeks buyers. This move is unexpected, as KKR appeared to lose interest in a potential bid in August 2025. (London, UK)

• Thu, 30 Oct – Boyu Capital emerges as frontrunner for Starbucks’ China business. The private equity company has reportedly outbid rivals, including Carlyle Group. Negotiations between Starbucks and Boyu are expected to take several months and are not guaranteed to result in a deal. (Shanghai, China)

• Fri, 31 Oct – US Senate votes to block Trump’s global tariffs with Conservative support. The Senate approved the measure 51-47 to end base-level tariffs. The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled House, where it is expected to be stalled. Critics argue that the tariffs have increased consumer prices, harmed American businesses, and disrupted global trade relations. (Washington DC, US)

• Fri, 31 Oct – Colombia’s Tropicalia Coffee named South America’s best coffee shop at Cafés de Colombia Expo. Other notable winners include Peru’s Kafi Wasi Café Tostadurí, Holaste! Specialty Coffee in Chile, Ecuador’s FANKØR, TRIBUTO casa de café in Venezuela, FRUTO Café in Argentina, and Peru’s Monotono Specialty Coffee. The winning coffee shops will enter as contenders in the world ranking, which will take place in February 2026 in Madrid. (Corferias, Colombia)

Industry news

• Mon, 27 Oct – Starbucks workers begin strike-authorisation vote after talks stall. Starbucks Workers United began strike-authorisation votes at unionised US stores after national contract talks stalled, mobilising rallies in about 60 cities. The union represents over 12,000 baristas at roughly 550 stores and seeks improvements on staffing, wages, and protections while negotiations remain paused. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Mon, 27 Oct – Alsea reports positive sales momentum for its Starbucks stores. Like-for-like sales rose in Q3 across Latin America and Europe, with Spain and South American markets driving the improvement and signalling recovery in several licensed territories amid unstable consumer trends. (Mexico City, Mexico)

• Mon, 27 Oct – Reborn Coffee forms advisory board and names Hisham Elkoustaf chair. Elkoustaf brings 20+ years in corporate law, trade, and economic policy, with the board set to support sustainability, strategic expansion, and capital sourcing. (Brea, California, US)

• Tue, 28 Oct – Philippines targets revival of local coffee industry. At the first Coffee Sustainability Congress in Manila, Francis Pangilinan emphasised the need for government and private sector collaboration, increased funding for small farmers, investment in climate-resilient trees and post-harvest systems, and full implementation of the national coffee roadmap to reduce import dependence and promote local beans globally. (Manila, Philippines)

• Tue, 28 Oct – DXN to open coffee processing plant in Brazil. Malaysian direct-selling company DXN Holdings plans a new coffee processing facility in Ibia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, as part of its Latin American expansion. The move supports its aim to strengthen global supply chains and market presence in the region. (Ibia, Brazil)

• Tue, 28 Oct – Zagreb ranks among Europe’s most affordable coffee capitals. The 2025 Cappuccino Index by Deutsche Bank indicates the average price of a cappuccino in Zagreb is around €2.40, placing the city among the most affordable capital-market destinations for café-goers in Europe. (Zagreb, Croatia)

• Wed, 29 Oct – Probat consolidates US operations in Dallas to strengthen collaboration. The German coffee roasting equipment manufacturer is moving its US teams, including Probat Inc. from Chicago and Bauermeister USA from Memphis, to a new centralised facility. The new headquarters will be anchored by the AC Horn manufacturing plant. (Dallas, Texas, US)

• Wed, 29 Oct – Intelligent Blends invests in high-capacity equipment to expand. The company installed a custom, high-capacity 105-cubic-foot ribbon blender. This investment is meant to bolster its production capacity and ability to handle large-scale runs, ensuring consistency for complex functional blends and coffee products. (San Diego, California, US)

• Wed, 29 Oct – Delta and Starbucks announce exclusive in-air Costa Rica coffee experience. Delta Air Lines and Starbucks will launch the In-Air Coffeehouse, an exclusive experience for SkyMiles members. From 16 to 18 December, select travellers will take a private charter flight from Atlanta to Costa Rica for an immersive visit to the Starbucks coffee farm, Hacienda Alsacia. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

• Wed, 29 Oct – Chinese tea chain Chagee maintains higher pricing despite cheap rivals. The chain is sticking to its premium strategy despite declining sales and profits, as customers turn to cheaper rivals like Luckin Coffee and Mixue Group. Co-founder Shang Xiangmin stated that the brand will not engage in price wars, aiming instead for a long-term premium approach similar to Starbucks. (Shanghai, China)

• Wed, 29 Oct – 7 Brew leads US coffee traffic, surpassing QSR rivals. The drive-thru-only chain is bucking the negative trend of the quick-service restaurant segment. It says it has surpassed the customer loyalty and return rates of other established brands like Starbucks and Dutch Bros, strengthening its expansion into 190 locations. (Rogers, Arkansas, US)

• Wed, 29 Oct – Oxbarrier sues Nespresso over compostable capsule patent infringement in Germany. OxBarrier B.V., a specialist in patented compostable single-serve capsule technologies, has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Nespresso at the Munich Regional Court in Germany. The action alleges that Nespresso’s home compostable Original capsules infringe OxBarrier’s European patent EP’838. (Rhenen, Netherlands)

• Thu, 30 Oct – Born Primitive and Black Rifle to eliminate US$25mn in veteran medical debt. The brands will donate 100% of the profits from 7 to 11 November via ForgiveCo to erase qualifying medical balances for over 10,000 veterans. (Virginia Beach, Virginia, US)

• Thu, 30 Oct – US roasters draw down coffee stocks ahead of Brazil trade deal. Roasters are using up inventories after a 50% US tariff on Brazilian imports forced cancellations and redirections, leaving cargo stranded and pushing prices for alternative origins higher. Stocks may fall to minimal levels by December. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 31 Oct – Starbucks posts first quarterly comparable-sales growth; margins under pressure. International stores lifted global comparable sales 1% while US comparable sales were flat and visits fell. Surging green bean costs, tariffs, and investment squeezed operating margin to 2.9%, and management said higher coffee costs will pressure results into the coming quarters. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Fri, 31 Oct – Coffee Foundation nominated as a finalist at the 2026 Givsly Impact Awards. The social impact non-profit is selected for the Campaigns with Conviction Award. The winners will be announced on 21 January 2026. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 31 Oct – Caffe Ladro collaborates with Food Lifeline on Coffee for Good partnership. Proceeds from the limited-edition Coffee for Good blend directly benefit Food Lifeline’s mission of providing food to vulnerable people and communities. A portion of sales of the Classic Blend Box will also be donated, and Caffe Ladro will host food drives at all of its locations throughout November and December. (Seattle, Washington, US)

Businesses for sale

• Wed, 29 Oct – KDP secures private equity backing ahead of JDE Peet’s deal. Keurig Dr Pepper lifted its 2025 net sales forecast and secured a US$7 billion strategic investment, co-led by Apollo and KKR, to fund its US$18 billion acquisition of JDE Peet’s. The deal, expected to close in H1 2026, will see KDP split into two independent entities, one of which will be a global coffee powerhouse. (Burlington, Massachusetts, US)

• Thu, 30 Oct – Brownes Dairy buys UK co-packer to scale Hunt and Brew. The 139-year-old Western Australian firm bought its former UK co-packing partner, Indul, to secure production for its Hunt and Brew ready-to-drink range, enabling end-to-end control, faster scaling, and deeper UK distribution, including Tesco listings. (Perth, Australia)

New launch

• Mon, 27 Oct – The North Face and Bialetti partner for a limited edition coffee kit. The collab includes the aluminium three-cup Bialetti Moka Express in Summit Gold, two stainless steel cups, spoons, and 100g of ground coffee. (Coccaglio, Italy)

• Mon, 27 Oct – Portrait Coffee and Outkast team up to celebrate 25 years of Stankonia. Atlanta-based Portrait Coffee and hip hop group Outkast collaborated to launch the Stankonia Coffee in honour of the album’s 25th anniversary. The medium roast coffee is a blend of beans from Rwanda and Colombia. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

• Tue, 28 Oct – Kopi Kenangan outlines expansion plans after Malaysia milestone. The company achieved EBITDA profitability in Malaysia, plans to end the year with 150 stores and reach 200 in 2026, expects to be Malaysia’s second-largest chain, and aims to enter two new markets per year from 2026, adapting menus and pricing locally to scale quickly. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• Wed, 29 Oct – Productive Health Co. debuts new energy drink with upcycled coffee fruit. The company launched Autofocus, a functional beverage containing natural caffeine derived from upcycled coffee fruit and the amino acid l-theanine. The combination is designed to deliver sustained energy and focus without the crash or jitters typically associated with traditional coffee or energy drinks. (Calistoga, California, US)

• Wed, 29 Oct – VBM launches Audrey espresso machine with new heat exchanger technology. The Italian espresso equipment maker unveiled the Audrey machine, the first to feature its new HX² heat-exchanger technology. The innovation, showcased at HostMilano, allows different water temperatures for each group on a single-boiler machine, offering baristas flexibility and precision. (Milano, Italy)

• Wed, 29 Oct – Ajinomoto unveils beanless coffee latte using prefer and solein protein. Japanese conglomerate Ajinomoto launched GRe:en Drop Coffee, a new beverage line featuring bean-free coffee from Prefer and a dairy-free creamer made from Solar Foods’s Solein gas-fermented protein. (Singapore)

• Thu, 30 Oct – 7-Eleven Japan and UCC launch 7CAFÉ hydrogen-roasted coffee. UCC says hydrogen roasting uses hydrogen for low-temperature, carbon-free, slower roasts that suppress off-flavours and yield clean, fruity tasting notes. The coffee will roll out across stores at ¥149 per cup. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Fri, 31 Oct – Counter Culture Coffee reopens Atlanta training centre. The new space marks the roaster’s return to Atlanta, where it first opened a training centre in 2006. Counter Culture will host a series of opening events, including the Grand Opening & Inaugural Tasting at Ten on 7 November and a latte art throwdown on 13 November. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

Milestone

• Tue, 28 Oct – ZUS Coffee hits 1,000 stores across Southeast Asia. Rapid expansion followed a RM250mn funding round in Sept 2024 that financed nearly 400 openings. The chain debuted in Singapore, Brunei, and Thailand while accelerating growth in Malaysia and the Philippines, aiming to extend its regional footprint. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

• Fri, 31 Oct – UK’s Trading Post Coffee Roasters achieves carbon-neutral certification. The roaster introduced further efficiency measures in roasting, energy use, and waste management to achieve the certification, as well as partnering with credible offset programmes to neutralise residual emissions. (Brighton, UK)

Trade & production

• Mon, 27 Oct – Tributo Café revives Venezuelan coffee with farm-to-cup project. Founders Roa Farías, Amanda Dudamel, and Edwin Acosta launched Tributo in 2023 to highlight Venezuelan coffee from Andean regions, manage processing and roasting, and reconnect producers with markets while scaling traceable supply chains. (Caracas, Venezuela)

• Mon, 27 Oct – Vietnam 2025-26 coffee crop expected to rise 10%. Industry group forecasts a roughly 10% increase in Vietnam’s 2025–26 coffee crop, driven by higher yields and recovered acreage. Larger output could ease supply tightness but remains sensitive to weather and export conditions. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Tue, 28 Oct – Japan-grown coffee reaches the country’s market. Taste tests found that small-batch domestic beans, often grown in specific regions like Tokunoshima Island, show mild, clean flavours with light acidity. Southern island growers use sheltered plots and technology to cope with typhoons, supplying local cafés and niche roasters rather than large-scale export markets. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Tue, 28 Oct – Fairtrade welcomes EU scope extension but calls for more smallholder support. Fairtrade International praised the EU Deforestation Regulation for covering all companies but warned that many smallholder farmers outside the EU face heavy compliance burdens and need support to meet traceability and geolocation requirements. (Bonn, Germany)

• Wed, 29 Oct – EUDR proposal frustrates Brazilian coffee exporters, Rabobank says. Analysts noted that delaying the checks and enforcement for larger companies until June 2026 removes the immediate incentive and potential market premium for those who quickly achieved compliance. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Wed, 29 Oct – Rabobank forecasts high coffee margins despite market pressures. Coffee is projected to show a positive financial outlook for producers, with estimated margins of 47% for the current Brazilian harvest, significantly surpassing the five-year average of 31%. This strong performance contrasts with lower projected margins for major grains such as soybeans and corn. (New York City, New York, US)

• Thu, 30 Oct – Uganda coffee exports reportedly surge 59% in September. Shipments reached 844,949 60kg bags, up from 532,212, the agriculture ministry said. Uganda earned US$2.2bn from coffee exports in the 12 months to September, a 57% rise, and production is forecast to climb 15% as harvesting begins in central and eastern regions. (Kampala, Uganda)

• Fri, 31 Oct – Ethiopian Coffee & Tea Authority credits integrated efforts for coffee sector growth. Officials attribute the production increase from 4.5 million to 11.5 million quintals to modern technology, marketing reforms, and improved varieties, with exports reaching US$2.bn last year. Programs are in place to enhance farmer support and climate-resilient yields. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

• Fri, 31 Oct – Project Coffee++ concludes with training for 3,000 farmers. The three-year Project Coffee++ concluded in Tacurong City after training approximately 3,000 farmers from Sultan Kudarat and Bukidnon in advanced production, financial literacy, and market access. Earlier beneficiaries tripled their harvests, and 80% rose above the poverty threshold. (Tacurong City, Philippines)

• Fri, 31 Oct – Kenyan coffee fetches strong prices at auction. Roughly US$3.18 million was raised at auction, signalling robust demand as top lots sold above estimates and buyers cited quality and tight supply. (Nairobi, Kenya)

Research

• Mon, 27 Oct – Civet robusta shows higher fat and a distinct FAME profile. A study of unroasted robusta from Kodagu found that civet-processed beans were larger and richer in total fat, with higher levels of caprylic and capric acid methyl esters. Protein and caffeine levels were similar, suggesting that gut fermentation alters bean chemistry. (Kerala, India)

• Wed, 29 Oct – Six hours is the recommended coffee cut-off time for quality sleep. Research suggests individuals should stop consuming caffeine six hours prior to sleep to avoid significant disruption, as the stimulant’s half-life is approximately four to six hours. The exact cut-off time, however, depends entirely on individual metabolism. (Detroit, Michigan, US)

• Thu, 30 Oct – Brewing method and species shape coffee bioactive and mineral profile. A study of 18 coffees found that brewing method and species altered caffeine, polyphenol, and mineral levels. Espresso yielded the highest levels of caffeine, total phenolics, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus, while V60 produced more calcium, iron, and sodium. Roast profile and origin had little effect. (Biala Podlaska, Poland)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 27 Oct – Full conference programme revealed for the European Coffee Symposium 2025. The three-day programme, 24 to 26 Nov, at JW Marriott Berlin covers the Supply & Innovation Day and Procurement Summit, Awards & Gala, ECS Talks and Symposium, COHO Expo with brand experiences, plus Head of Coffee, Roaster Summit, Cupping Exchange, and curated 1-to-1 meetings. (Berlin, Germany)

• Tue, 28 Oct – Café Show Seoul 2025 set for 19 to 22 November. The exhibition runs at COEX Convention & Exhibition Centre, covering the coffee, tea, bakery, and dessert sectors, with equipment, raw materials, and cultural programmes. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Tue, 28 Oct – Ecotact hosts Circle Coffee Training Programme in Ethiopia to support producers. Led by industry veteran Sunalini Menon at Addis Exporter’s ATOMA Washing Station in Gera, the interactive session facilitated the adoption of practical, science-backed solutions that enhance both freshness and value at origin. The Ecotact Circle Coffee Training Programme is designed to educate farmers, processors, and quality professionals on the critical aspects of coffee quality, post-harvest processing, sensory evaluation, and defect identification. (Gera, Ethiopia)

• Tue, 28 Oct – World of Coffee Dubai 2026 set for January. World of Coffee Dubai, the fifth edition, will be held from 18 to 20 January 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event will include the 2026 UAE Barista, Cup Tasters, and Roasting Championships, workshops, and highlight innovation and regional market growth. (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

• Wed, 29 Oct – NCA opens nominations for 2026 coffee community awards. The National Coffee Association is accepting submissions for its Individual Recognition Awards and Origin Charity of the Year Award. Nominations close on 7 November 2025 to recognise leaders, volunteers, and charities in the industry. (New York City, New York, US)

• Wed, 29 Oct – Café Show Vietnam 2025 to take place in Hanoi. The event is scheduled for 12 to 15 November at the Vietnam Exposition Centre (VNEC), featuring coffee, tea, bakery sectors, competitions, and industry networking. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Wed, 29 Oct – Sigep World 2026 conference plans expansion in Riyadh. IEG announced the first edition of Sigep World, scheduled for November 2026 in Saudi Arabia. The new event aims to expand the coffee, confectionery, ice cream, pastry, and bakery exhibition into the Middle East and North Africa, supporting global growth for the sectors involved. (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

• Wed, 29 Oct – Hans R. Neumann Stiftung panel addresses the balancing nature and livelihoods dilemma for smallholder farms. The panel discussion, recorded for the Hamburg Sustainability Week, explores the intersection of biodiversity, economic growth, and food security in coffee-producing regions. Experts debated how smallholder families can integrate sustainable practices to protect the environment while also improving their economic returns. (Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania)

• Thu, 30 Oct – IMF Roasters showcases at Gulfood Manufacturing. The company will present energy-efficient, digitalised roasting plants with clean-air recirculation and integrated profile-control software, scalable from artisan to industrial lines. IMF cited 25% turnover growth in 2024 amid expansion into Middle Eastern markets. (Dubai, UAE)

• Thu, 30 Oct – The Marrakech Coffee & Tea Festival 2025 is scheduled for 6 to 8 December. At Marrakech Parc Expo, the festival will feature 400+ exhibitors and aims to attract 30,000 visitors, offering competitions, workshops, B2B networking, and cultural experiences in the coffee and tea sectors. (Marrakech, Morocco)

• Fri, 31 Oct – The Barista League: Pacific heads to Sydney on 20 November. The event features ten teams from across the Pacific, Roasters Village featuring top regional roasters, interactive experiences like ‘Guess the Origin’ and ‘Temperature Profile’ games, and a grand prize mystery coffee vacation. (Sydney, Australia)

Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:

• Tue, 21 Oct – Jim Carbone named 2025 coffee legend of the year by NAMA. NAMA honoured Jim Carbone for his decades of service to the coffee vending and office segment, recognising his leadership, mentorship, and contributions to product innovation and industry standards. (Arlington, Virginia, US)

• Wed, 22 Oct – Groupe SEB reports nine-month sales of €5.66bn; professional coffee returns to growth. Consumer segment showed organic growth outside North America, while the professional coffee category grew 3% in Q3, driven by Germany and China. US demand weakened amid tariff uncertainty. (Écully, France)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Shanghai named the most compelling coffee city in China. Rapid café growth, homegrown roasters, and strong demand for quality coffee have made Shanghai a leading coffee hub, according to Bloomberg. The city blends specialty coffee culture, tech-led retail, and international brands. (Shanghai, China)

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Want to keep up with current affairs in the coffee industry? Check out last week’s coffee news stories and make sure to read the latest Coffee Intelligence News & Opinion piece about what’s happening with US tariffs.

The post Coffee News Recap, 31 Oct: Senate votes against Trump’s global tariffs, US retail coffee prices increase by 41% in 12 months & other stories appeared first on Perfect Daily Grind.

Editor’s note

The results of the 25th World Barista Championship are in. Australia’s Jack Simpson was crowned the winner, with Simon SunLei from China and Ben Put from Canada placing second and third, respectively.

It was a significant win for Jack Simpson, who has been competing for some eight years. Starting his routine, he talked about the disappointment of missing out on the title of World Barista Champion at last year’s competition, where he placed second after Indonesia’s Mikael Jasin.

At the 2025 event, Jack used two different coffees: an anerobic natural Papayo from Finca Zarza in Colombia and nitrogen-macerated Gesha from Finca Deborah in Panama. Throughout his performance, Jack shared personal journal entries from the previous year, demonstrating how emotional storytelling and vulnerability have become increasingly prominent parts of WBC routines against an industry backdrop of price volatility and political uncertainty.

“Coffee is about people, human connections, and not just results,” he said. “The more time I spent focused on results, the more disconnected I became from my responsibilities.”

Also in the competition spotlight this week are the winners of the Global Coffee Awards Origin Roasted category. Colombia’s Casa Landino was crowned the overall winner, while Ethiopia’s Galani Coffee, Nicaragua’s DeLa Finca Specialty Coffee, and Mexico’s Café de las Nubes also received top honours.

In March 2026, these roasters will go head-to-head with the US & Canada and European GCA winners to vie for the title of world’s best, helping to level the playing field for coffee competitions and recognising roasting excellence on a global scale.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 20 Oct – Liberia to promote Liberica under FAO’s OCOP initiative. Liberia has chosen the indigenous Coffeea Liberica species as its flagship export under the UN FAO “One Country One Priority Product” programme, aiming for launch in December 2025 and positioning the country as the first in Africa to promote liberica on a global scale. (Monrovia, Liberia)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Australia’s Jack Simpson wins the 25th World Barista Championship. China’s Simon SunLei placed second, and Canada’s Ben Put came third. Jason Loo of Malaysia placed fourth, Japan’s Hiroki Ito came fifth, and Denmark’s Christopher Sahyoun Hoff placed sixth. (Milan, Italy)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Colombia recalls US ambassador as tariff threat looms over coffee exports. US President Trump’s recent remarks about Colombian President Petro have raised concerns about trade relations. Trump also threatened to increase tariffs and cut aid to Colombia, potentially affecting coffee shipments to the US. (Bogotá, Colombia)

• Wed, 22 Oct – Regenerative coffee sales nearly triple in the UK. So far in 2025, UK regenerative coffee orders have reached 70 tonnes, and pre-orders from 22 UK roasters for the 2025-26 harvest are expected to double. Brazilian cooperative Expocacer’s ECO certification is key for buyers, demonstrating ESG compliance and guaranteeing traceability. (London, UK)

• Wed, 22 Oct – US administration may impose 100% tariffs on Nicaraguan commodities, potentially including coffee. Releasing the results of an unfair trade practices probe launched during President Joe Biden’s administration, the US Trade Representative’s office has proposed staggering tariffs on all or some of Nicaragua’s goods, citing alleged labour and human rights violations. (Washington DC, US)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Global Coffee Awards announces the best roasters in producing countries. Colombia’s Casa Landino took overall honours at the Origin Roasted event in Houston, Texas, US. Other category winners included Ethiopia’s Galani Coffee (Espresso), Nicaragua’s DeLa Finca Specialty Coffee (Flat White Dairy), and Mexico’s Café de las Nubes (Flat White Alternative). Gold winners progress to the global finals at PRF El Salvador on 26 & 27 March 2026. (Houston, Texas, US)

• Thu, 23 Oct – European Commission proposes simplifying EUDR compliance for SMEs. Micro and small enterprises will have reduced obligations under the EUDR, and the formal entry into application will be delayed until December 2026. For all other companies, the deadline remains 30 December 2025, but a six-month grace period will be granted due to IT issues. Certain supply chain actors, including smallholder farmers and downstream companies, will be exempt from submitting due diligence statements. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Arabica futures near an all-time high as political tensions rise and Brazilian stocks drop. Arabica contracts reached US$4.32/lb amid US tariff threats on Colombia and Nicaragua and falling ICE-certified Brazilian stocks, which hit their lowest levels since 2000. (London, UK)

Industry news

• Mon, 20 Oct – Salted coffee trend gains traction among US specialty cafés. Baristas are adding small amounts of Himalayan or sea salt to espresso, filter, and cold brew drinks to heighten perceived sweetness, reduce bitterness, and accentuate caramel notes, demonstrating the global popularity of Southeast Asian food and beverage trends. (New York City, New York, US)

• Mon, 20 Oct – For Five Coffee Roasters joins JFK Terminal 6 concessions. JFK airport aims to bring a local roaster presence and branded coffee to travellers as part of a line-up that also includes P.J. Clarke’s and Brooklyn Brewery. (New York City, New York, US)

• Mon, 20 Oct – Lavazza partners with American Airlines for premium in-flight and lounge coffee. Starting early 2026, passengers on American Airlines flights and in Admirals Club and Flagship lounges will be served premium blends from Lavazza, marking a significant upgrade in the carrier’s hospitality offering. (Turin, Italy)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Starbucks investors urge company to restart union talks. A shareholder resolution backed by major institutional investors called on the company to engage proactively with unionising workers. It emphasised the need for a consistent labour strategy, citing reputational and operational risks if dialogue remains stalled. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Lagardère Travel Retail posts record third-quarter revenues. The global travel-retail operator reported Q3 revenue of nearly €1.7 billion, marking 6.2% reported growth. Performance was led by openings in Amsterdam and Auckland and substantial F&B gains in the EMEA and South American markets. (Paris, France)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Art of the Espresso by Breville transforms coffee lovers’ brainwaves into art. Gallery Different hosted a one-day pop-up where visitors, fitted with EEG headsets while tasting coffee made on Breville machines, saw brainwave data translated into personalised artworks by Caroline Hobkinson. (London, UK)

• Tue, 21 Oct – South Korea issues record franchise fine for cost-shifting. FTC penalised a major coffee brand with the largest fine ever over undisclosed additional billing to franchisees, finding the chain shifted raw materials, uniforms, and wastewater charges onto store owners without a contractual basis. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Wed, 22 Oct – Salma Hayek Pinault stars in Kahlúa x Dunkin’ campaign. The Telenovela-style spot promotes Kahlúa Dunkin’ Caramel Swirl Cream Liqueur by pairing the coffee liqueur with Dunkin’ caramel swirl and real cream. The campaign, featuring the Academy Award-winning actress, runs on streaming, social media, and audio, with a Grand Central pop-up. (New York City, New York, US)

• Wed, 22 Oct – Black Sheep Coffee to open 11 new sites. The UK chain will expand into market towns, shopping centres, retail parks, and drive-thrus across the Merseyside area under a multi-unit development plan, continuing its rapid nationwide growth. (Liverpool, UK)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Coca-Cola reassesses coffee strategy. Coca-Cola says it’s pausing to reassess its position in the fast-growing coffee category, reviewing channels from RTD to retail and weighing partnerships, brand investment, and speed-to-market as competition and margin dynamics intensify. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Café Amazon accelerates global expansion after leaving the Vietnamese market. The Thai chain charts its entry and expansion into other Southeast Asian markets after stepping back from Vietnam, while expanding sites across Mongolia, the Middle East, and Europe as part of its international growth plan. (Bangkok, Thailand)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Espresso House unveils new corporate leadership team. The Nordic chain named a five-member leadership group as part of a streamlined organisational structure across its 500-store business, signalling a push for operational simplification and growth. (Lund, Sweden)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Hojicha, roasted Japanese tea, is gaining popularity on coffee shop menus. Hojicha is roasted tencha, yielding caramel, nutty, and smoky notes with low caffeine levels. It has become popular in cafés in Japan and beyond, where it’s served as lattes, cold brews, and even as a flavour shot alongside espresso as an alternative to coffee. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Rival Bros raises near $4m to scale roastery and cafés. The company has reached nearly 75% of its fundraising goal to increase roastery production, open more cafés and grow e-commerce, targeting national expansion and higher roasting capacity. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US)

• Fri, 24 Oct – US representatives Bacon and Khanna urge removal of coffee tariffs. They asked President Trump to exempt coffee from reciprocal tariffs and backed the bipartisan No Coffee Tax Act to repeal them; US domestic production covers under 1% of consumption, and the letter cites a roughly 26% rise in retail coffee costs, hitting consumers and small cafés. (Washington, DC, US)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Industrial coffee grinders report profiles of 180 companies. The market study maps supplier profiles, market size, forecasts, and technology trends in the industrial coffee grinder sector, benchmarking 180 companies and analysing demand, capacity, and competitive dynamics; includes Buhler, Ditting, Kuban Makina, and Modern Process Equipment. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Cimbali Group publishes its 2024 sustainability report. The report details how Cimbali Group has strengthened its governance structure by creating a new Board committee dedicated to Ethics & Sustainability Governance. Cimbali Group achieved 100% certified renewable electricity use across its Italian operations in 2024. The company also achieved voluntary UNI Pdr 125 certification for gender equality, which consolidated multiple initiatives into a structured framework that embeds equality across governance, culture, strategy, and people policies. (Milan, Italy)

• Fri, 24 Oct – La Colombe named official coffee and cold brew partner under Chobani US Soccer deal. Under Chobani’s multi-year partnership with U.S. Soccer, La Colombe Coffee Workshop is named the official coffee and cold brew partner, set to supply brewed coffee and ready-to-drink cold brew across federation venues, the training centre and match-day events. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US)

New launch

• Mon, 20 Oct – Julius Meinl launches industrially compostable capsules for organic Fairtrade line. Debuting at HostMilano, the capsules meet industrial composting standards and extend the brand’s award-winning organic Fairtrade portfolio, offering retailers a lower-waste single-serve option for compatible capsule brewers. (Vienna, Austria)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Fellow unveils its first matcha set, expanding beyond coffee tools. The five-piece collection includes a bamboo whisk, ceramic or glass bowl, whisk holder, stainless steel sifter, and modular tray. (San Francisco, California, US)

• Tue, 21 Oct – RAVE Coffee launches El Carmen No. 50 coffee liqueur. Made with cold brew using Colombian coffee, the liqueur uses coffee sourced from the region where the roaster’s flagship sustainability project is based. (Cirencester, UK)

• Tue, 21 Oct – La Marzocco unveils the Jay grinder. The new model offers stepless micrometric adjustment, anti-retention geometry, programmable weight-based dosing, modular burr sets, and Wi-Fi connectivity, designed for café and roaster workflows to improve dose accuracy and extraction consistency. (Florence, Italy)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Bazzara unveils new logo and luxury packaging. The restyling refines the brand for international retail and e-commerce with clearer typography, gold colour coding on the Luxury line, a simplified sensory radar, and wider online visibility. (Trieste, Italy)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Franke launches new modular coffee solution. The A-Line combines modular automation, an intuitive touchscreen, energy-saving modes, and cloud connectivity to ensure consistent extraction and easier servicing. (Aarburg, Switzerland)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Mahlkönig reveals Xenia home espresso machine. The new home model follows Hemro Group’s acquisition of German Xenia Espresso and targets prosumers with dual boilers, steam, an auto-adjust integrated grinder, Wi-Fi app control, and fast heat-up time. (Milan, Italy)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Sonic debuts bourbon caramel iced coffee with NBC’s Jimmy Fallon. The new fall drink features bourbon-infused caramel syrup, whole milk, and coffee, available through December as part of NBC’s “On Brand With Jimmy Fallon” menu collaboration. (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US)

• Wed, 22 Oct – Terres de Café releases Permanent Coffee documentary. Christophe Servell and Fabrice Leseigneur’s new film follows their journey from Mexico’s Chiapas to Panama, capturing producers’ voices calling for a transformation in coffee production and consumption models. (Paris, France)

• Wed, 22 Oct – Rancilio introduces Classe 5 Crono range. The new model builds on the Classe 5 and Classe 5 Eco, adding a group-integrated digital display with shot timer, Steady Brew temperature stability, and quick-clean automation. The Classe 5 Crono will be available in one, two, and three-group formats from January 2026. (Milan, Italy)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Inoumi launches matcha, mushroom, and collagen ranges in the UK. The brand sells powdered ceremonial matcha, mushroom blends, and hydrolysed collagen powders made from whole ground ingredients without extracts or sweeteners. These products are packed in recyclable pouches and home-compostable single-serve sachets. Retail rollout is due in the coming months. (Surrey, UK)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Alfred Coffee opens dedicated matcha café in Los Angeles. The Studio City outlet focuses exclusively on premium Japanese matcha menu items, including lattes, soft serve, and signature beverages, demonstrating the booming global popularity of matcha. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Control Freak Coffee launches controlled-caffeine lineup. The new range includes five roast profiles calibrated to 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% caffeine levels to encourage more mindful consumption. (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Monin launches Indian Rasa range for Diwali. Chai Tea Concentrate leads the lineup, supported by rose, spiced jamun, raw mango, and hibiscus syrups. Designed for chefs, baristas, and mixologists under the Brighter With You campaign, the syrups are available in 700ml and 250ml bottles via select outlets and online. (Hyderabad, India)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Hario launches AYA series inspired by Japanese design. The New AYA collection blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern coffee and tea gear, featuring heat-proof glass servers, drip stands, and thin-wall glasses crafted for mindful daily rituals. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Fri, 24 Oct – OhmIQ debuts water-heating tech with UNIC espresso machines. The partnership introduces ohmic heating to UNIC machines, sending electrical current directly through water for near-instant heating, improved precision, and reduced scaling. (North Charleston, South Carolina, US)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Soul Origin launches first drive-thru in Melbourne. The café brand will open its Epping site on 23 October with a drive-thru format serving its signature brewed coffee and fresh meals, offering free iced matchas and lattes during the launch, and targeting 10–25 drive-thru openings annually. (Melbourne, Australia)

Milestone

• Tue, 21 Oct – Panera Bread names Earl Ellis new CFO. Ellis succeeds Kelly Cook and brings experience from tech and retail finance roles. He begins immediately and will steer Panera’s capital strategies, reporting directly to CEO Niren Chaudhary as the chain grows its bakery-café operations. (St. Louis, Missouri, US)

• Wed, 22 Oct – Brazil’s The Coffee opens first store in Belgium. The chain’s Belgium debut marks its eighth European market as it accelerates Benelux growth after recent launches in the Netherlands and Luxembourg, positioning Europe at the centre of its international expansion. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Fresh Roasted Coffee expands production with solar-powered growth model. The Pennsylvania roastery installed a 753 kW solar array, cutting energy costs by about 90%, enabling reinvestment in technology and co-packing. Its 115,000 sq ft facility now produces over 375 million pods and capsules annually with 80% lower roasting emissions. (Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, US)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Kissing Rock Coffee wins gold at Golden Bean the Americas. Oregon coast roaster captured the championship for its processing innovation and flavour clarity, beating over 30 finalists and earning international recognition for its microlot programme. (Oregon Coast, Oregon, US)

Trade & production

• Tue, 21 Oct – Indian coffee expert highlights robusta’s key role in sustainability. S. Ravi, former CEO of the Indian Coffee Board, argues robusta offers climate resilience and disease resistance, urging balanced planting and genetic improvement to protect farms and meet demand for both robusta and arabica across India’s expanding coffee zones. (Bengaluru, India)

• Wed, 22 Oct – African Union backs continental coffee sector amid market shifts. AU endorses a continental coffee strategy to harmonise standards, expand processing capacity, mobilise investment, and boost intra-African trade, aiming to strengthen farmer incomes and resilience as global market pressures reshape export dynamics. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

• Thu, 23 Oct – Vietnam’s coffee exports reportedly reach record US$8.4 bn in 2024–25. The country says it exported over 1.5 million tonnes of coffee, up nearly 6% in volume, generating record earnings compared to US$5.4bn in the previous season. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Thu, 23 Oct – New study says Brazil’s coffee-related forest loss reached 737,000 ha between 2002 and 2023. Coffee Watch’s latest report shows that from 2001 to 2023, municipalities with dense coffee cultivation lost more than 11 million hectares of forest. At least 312,803 ha were directly cleared for coffee, with 737,000 ha of forest loss inside coffee farms. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Uganda projects a 14.8% rise in coffee output this crop year. Production is forecast at 9.3 million 60-kg bags, up from 8.1 million, as maturing new plantings and government seedling and fertiliser programmes boost yields; exports earned $2.2bn in the 12 months to August, reinforcing Uganda’s role as East Africa’s leading robusta supplier. (Kampala, Uganda)

Research

• Wed, 22 Oct – New review highlights coffee’s chlorogenic acid role in metabolic health. Researchers found that chlorogenic acid (CGA), a plant compound abundant in coffee, may help boost energy use, reduce fat buildup, calm inflammation, and improve blood sugar control. Though promising, human-scale trials are still needed to confirm these benefits. (Poznan, Poland)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 20 Oct – Indigenous Amazon robusta scores 100 points in Brazilian competition. Rafael Mopimop Suruí’s microlot from Sete de Setembro Indigenous Land in Rondônia scored 100 using the Fine Robusta Cupping Form at the Tribos competition – the first robusta to reach this mark and a landmark for indigenous producers. (Porto Velho, Brazil)

• Mon, 20 Oct – Fifth edition of World of Coffee Dubai to take place from 18 to 20 January 2026. Organised by the SCA and DXB Live, the 2026 edition will host the 2026 UAE Barista, Cup Tasters, and Roasting Championships, two coffee auctions, and educational workshops and seminars on sustainability and innovation. (Dubai, UAE)

• Tue, 21 Oct – BRITA reveals Grounds of Innovation 2025 winners. Cheltenham’s Ritual Coffee Roasters received the top prize, with 15grams in London and Effy in Nottingham also placing among the top UK cafés. BRITA Professional hosted an exclusive event at Ritual Coffee Roasters, featuring a latte art masterclass with 2025 Latte Art Champion, Ben Lewis, and a water sensory session led by a BRITA water sommelier. (Taunusstein, Germany)

• Tue, 21 Oct – Sofía Saud is the 2025 Spanish AeroPress Champion. Over 60 baristas took part in the final competition. The winning coffee was a Gesha produced by Albaney Fajardo from Finca Renacer in Huila, Colombia. Saud will represent Spain at the World AeroPress Championship in Seoul on 5 & 6 Dec. (Barcelona, Spain)

• Tue, 21 Oct – My Coffee Awards unveils fourth edition with unlimited coffee tastings. The three-day festival (formerly BCN Coffee Awards) will run from 7 to 9 Nov at Nau Bostik, offering unlimited coffee for ticket holders. The event will host the 2026 Spanish Latte Art and Cup Tasters championships, and My Coffee Guide ratings. My Coffee Awards will recognise excellence in categories such as Café Experience, Barista Personality of the Year, Breakthrough Café, Excellence in Barista Training, Pastry and Bakery Experience, Design and Atmosphere, and Sustainability. (Barcelona, Spain)

• Wed, 22 Oct – NCA convention set for Tampa in March 2026. The three-day event will run from 12 to 14 March and will convene nearly 800 coffee leaders for sessions on economic forecasts, supply chain trends, and strategic networking for C-suite decision-makers. (Tampa, Florida, US)

• Wed, 22 Oct – Manchester Coffee Festival will take place at Bowlers Exhibition Centre from 14 to 16 November. This year’s event will include a trade show featuring key players in the UK coffee industry, talks and panels programme, workshops, coffee tastings, a maker’s market, and the all-new Brew Bar. The festival will also feature the MCF Latte Art Championship and the UK & Ireland Filter Championships. (Manchester, UK)

• Thu, 23 Oct – World Coffee Innovation Summit 2025 takes place in London. The event gathered senior leaders from coffee and cocoa supply chains to explore themes like Scope 3 emissions, EUDR compliance, regenerative agriculture, digitalisation, and inclusive value creation through an ecosystem business model. (London, UK)

• Thu, 23 Oct – DMCC to host ninth UAE AeroPress Championship under Qahwa Qulture theme. The business hub will host the 2025 edition of the competition from 6 to 8 November in its flagship Almas Tower. The theme for the ninth edition, “A Celebration of Qahwa Qulture in the Emirates”, pays tribute to the UAE’s position as both a global trading nation and a booming specialty coffee market. (Dubai, UAE)

• Fri, 24 Oct – HOTELEX Shenzhen 2025 to showcase coffee and hotel-catering innovations. Scheduled for 16 to 18 December at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Centre, the expo will feature over 3,000 exhibitors, a dedicated coffee & tea zone, a Coffee Value Summit, and international barista competitions, aimed at sourcing across South China’s hospitality supply chain. (Shenzhen, China)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Café Granja La Esperanza sets record for highest-priced Colombian green coffee. The Mavicure Hills Laurina Natural lot fetched US$2,194.1/kg (US$13,137.30 total) at Cumbres de Colombia on 22 Oct 2025, scoring 94.25. Buyer Brew92 secured the 13.2 lb microlot, underlining Colombia’s rising presence beyond Gesha offerings. (Cali, Colombia)

• Fri, 24 Oct – Austin Coffee Festival returns to Palmer Events Center. Fourth edition runs 25–26 Oct with at least 40 roasters, latte-art competitions, tastings and vendors serving coffee, tea and chai, offering visitors a single-venue chance to compare micro-lots, new blends and local roaster offerings. (Austin, Texas, US)

• Fri, 24 Oct – MICE2026 early bird tickets now on sale. Over 31,000 attendees took part in the 2025 edition. Early bird tickets are available until 15 November, offering access to venues like the Roasters Playground and Trip to Origin. (Melbourne, Australia)

Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:

• Mon, 13 Oct – Malaysia’s OldTown White Coffee eyes $6.8 million expansion in the Philippines. A Malaysian coffee chain plans to invest about $6.8 million to expand across the Philippines by opening additional outlets and strengthening its supply chain infrastructure. The initiative aims to strengthen its regional footprint in Southeast Asia. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

• Wed, 15 Oct – The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf partners with Now You See Me for a limited-time menu. Two limited-time iced teas, Mango Magic Heist Tea and Strawberry Shimmer Heist Tea, pair Swedish Berry tea with lemonade, fruit flavours, and glitter, while a sweepstakes runs until 14 Nov with weekly prizes and a grand-prize VIP trip to the film premiere in New York City on 10 Nov. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Wed, 15 Oct – Data-driven approaches target coffee quality and consistency. A review published in AIP Conference Proceedings surveys supervised learning, sensor, and spectroscopy tools that predict sensory scores, reduce variability, and support sustainable processing, suggesting data-driven workflows for grading, roasting, and supply chain decisions. (Melville, New York, US)

Photo credits: Specialty Coffee Association, Fellow, My Coffee Awards

Sign up to our weekly coffee news recap to get a summary of all the biggest stories in the sector, delivered straight to your inbox every Monday.

Want to keep up with current affairs in the coffee industry? Check out last week’s coffee news stories and make sure to read the latest Coffee Intelligence News & Opinion piece about why iced drinks continue to lead coffee shop sales.

The post Coffee News Recap, 24 Oct: Australia’s Jack Simpson is the 2025 World Barista Champion, Global Coffee Awards announces best roasters in producing countries & other stories appeared first on Perfect Daily Grind.

Editor’s note

HostMilano – one of the HoReCa industry’s most important global events – starts today, hosting the 25th World Barista Championship. All eyes will be on Milan to see who is crowned the winner at the milestone edition of the competition.

Looking more broadly, mergers and acquisitions have been reshaping the coffee industry over the last decade, and the trend continues. As part of an ongoing M&A strategy, Austria’s Cropster has acquired South Korea’s Firescope as it seeks greater access to the East Asian coffee market.

Firescope, which serves more than 3,000 roasters across South Korea, Japan and other Asian countries, will become Cropster’s new regional sales and support hub. The company’s self-service roasting platform will be integrated into Cropster’s software suite over the next year and made available to customers globally.

This move comes a year after investment firm Verdane acquired a majority stake in Cropster to accelerate its growth and product development.

From roasters to traders to software developers, the trend of acquisitions is accelerating in the coffee industry and shows no signs of slowing down.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 13 Oct – Death Wish Coffee sues Liquid Death over planned coffee trademarks. Death Wish claims that Liquid Death’s US trademark applications for coffee products infringe on its “Death” trademarks and risk consumer confusion. It seeks injunctions to block registrations, while Liquid Death says it has no plans to launch coffee products. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Tue, 14 Oct – Best of Rwanda 2025 auction breaks records, fetches nearly 14 times over local market price. The top-scoring anaerobic natural coffee, receiving 91.81 points, was purchased for US$40/lb (or around US$88/kg). The auction raised over US$304,837, with an average price of US$12.34/lb. (Kigali, Rwanda)

• Wed, 15 Oct – Cropster acquires Korean roasting platform Firescope. Firescope will remain independent during a 12-month integration into Cropster’s product suite, marking a step in Cropster’s intent to lead the global coffee software sector. (Innsbruck, Austria)

• Wed, 15 Oct – RoastMaster Capital consolidates with Caffè Ottolina to create one of the largest Italian coffee roasting groups. RoastMaster Capital acquired a stake in the Milan roaster via a dedicated holding, with the Ottolina family reinvesting and remaining at the helm. Backed by Harcos Capital Partners, the deal aims to scale production, optimise procurement, and drive international expansion after 20% growth in 2025. (Milan, Italy)

• Wed, 15 Oct – Caffè Nero posts record Q1 sales following iced drinks surge. The Nero Group reported £166mn in first-quarter revenue, driven by a 49% increase in iced beverage demand and strong UK trading. (London, UK)

• Thu, 16 Oct – Blue Bottle claims carbon neutrality and outlines next steps in climate action. In 2024, Blue Bottle Coffee reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 18.4% from its 2018 baseline and compensated for remaining emissions by purchasing high-quality carbon removal credits focused on nature-based climate solutions. (Oakland, California, US)

• Thu, 16 Oct – WatchHouse signs franchise deal to launch in Dubai. The franchise agreement with Big Belly Hospitality will open a six-month espresso-focused residency at Marsa Boulevard this month, followed by four more UAE sites in 2026, as the UK specialty chain pursues regional franchising. (Dubai, UAE)

• Fri, 17 Oct – HostMilano hosts the 25th World Barista Championship. The competition runs from 17 to 21 October at HostMilano and brings more than 50 national champions to compete for the title of world’s best barista. WBC Barista Base Camp will also return, featuring coach-led trainings, tasting labs, and public interaction zones built to replicate the competition arena. (Milan, Italy)

Industry news

• Mon, 13 Oct – Brazil trader Timbro enters the coffee export market. The exporter plans an initial shipment of about 80,000 60kg bags and will start full physical operations for the 2025 crop year. It intends to use Dubai and US offices to target Asian and Middle Eastern buyers amid market volatility. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Mon, 13 Oct – Good Earth targets vacant Canadian Starbucks sites for expansion. The chain plans to acquire recently closed Starbucks stores nationwide, reviving a 2021 approach to convert vacated locations into Good Earth cafés and capture displaced footfall as Starbucks trims its Canada estate to speed outlet growth. (Calgary, Canada)

• Tue, 14 Oct – Tim Hortons raises menu prices amid coffee cost surge. The chain said the adjustment averages 1.5%, roughly three Canadian cents, per cup. This marks Tim Horton’s first coffee price change in about three years. (Toronto, Canada)

• Tue, 14 Oct – Dunkin’ appoints PT Diamond Donuts as master franchisee in Indonesia. The new master franchisee will develop, own, and operate Dunkin’ sites and partner with sub-franchisees, targeting a Q4 2025 Jakarta opening and phased rollouts across formats from flagship cafés to neighbourhood outlets. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• Tue, 14 Oct – Coffee boosts footfall at UK bakeries and sandwich shops. Lincoln & York’s latest report shows that 81% of consumers feel coffee quality impacts their bakery choice, and 68% recommend a bakery or sandwich shop based on the quality of the coffee alone. This growth is driven by younger customers, especially those aged 18 to 24, who typically spend £5 to £7 per visit. (London, UK)

• Wed, 15 Oct – Grocery inflation in the UK at 5.2% as coffee joins fastest-rising categories. Worldpanel data show grocery inflation rose to 5.2% for the four weeks to 5 Oct, with coffee among the fastest-rising items. Spending on promotions jumped to 29.4% as shoppers hunt for value, pushing retailers toward private-label and deal-led strategies to protect margins. (London, UK)

• Wed, 15 Oct – Café Amazon refocuses expansion into key markets. The Thai chain has grown to more than 5,000 outlets, sold 107 million cups in Q2 2025, and is scaling an Ayutthaya hub for roasting, bakery, and training. It is also expanding a social employment programme to 430 outlets and moving on after a likely exit from Vietnam. (Bangkok, Thailand)

• Thu, 16 Oct – Peet’s Coffee joins Woolrich x Target limited-time collection. The partnership introduces two exclusive coffee offerings: the Buffalo Check Blend, a medium roast with notes of chocolate-covered toffee and maple syrup, and Cold Brew Singles, a medium roast with notes of sweet blackberry and cocoa. (Berkeley, California, US)

• Thu, 16 Oct – Coffee Enterprises launches CVA testing packages. The independent lab offers an SCA-aligned Coffee Value Assessment led by evolved Q graders, which combines physical, descriptive, and affective analyses with client-provided extrinsic data to verify quality, contract adherence, and consistency for buyers. (Hinesburg, Vermont, US)

• Fri, 17 Oct – Nestlé reports stronger-than-expected Q3 sales under new CEO, but announces major job cuts. New chief Philipp Navratil raised the cost savings target to 3 billion Swiss francs and said 16,000 roles will be cut as part of an efficiency drive. Organic sales rose 4.3% in Q3, helped by higher coffee and confectionery prices, while 2025 guidance and medium-term margin targets remain intact. (Vevey, Switzerland)

• Fri, 17 Oct – Three O’Clock signs master franchise for Jakarta launch. The Vietnamese 24-hour coffee and tea chain signed a master franchise with PT Tiga Waktu Rasa, planning a December 2025 debut and marking its third international franchise deal this year. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• Fri, 17 Oct – Chobani raises US$640mn in latest funding round. Earlier this year, the company (now valued at US$20bn) said it would invest US$1.2 billion in building its third US dairy processing plant in New York and a US$500 million expansion plan in Idaho. (New York City, New York, US)

Businesses for sale

• Tue, 14 Oct – FreshBrew acquires White Coffee’s licensed branded coffee portfolio. Houston-based FreshBrew acquired White Coffee’s branded-licensed division, securing multiple licences and in-house roasting, grinding and distribution. Output capacity will expand to about 150,000 lbs per day, and White Coffee executives are joining FreshBrew to grow its retail division. (Houston, Texas, US)

• Wed, 15 Oct – Starboard takes stake in Keurig Dr Pepper amid JDE Peet’s takeover interest. The activist investor’s move follows JDE Peet’s proposed US$18bn acquisition and signals investor scrutiny of KDP’s coffee strategy, according to insider sources. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 17 Oct – Carlyle and Boyu lead bids for Starbucks China. Sources report that the sale process has advanced to preferred bidders for a majority stake, with the entire China business valued at nearly US$4bn. Starbucks is likely to retain a minority stake while royalty arrangements remain under negotiation. (Shanghai, China)

New launch

• Mon, 13 Oct – Pact Coffee expands decaf line with UK supermarket listing. The new Bourbon Cream Decaf ground coffee follows the roaster’s decaf pods, which launched in Waitrose in June 2025. Bourbon Cream will be available in 135 UK Waitrose stores. (London, UK)

• Tue, 14 Oct – La Marzocco and Victorinox partner to launch Barista Tool. The all-steel, multi-function barista tool pairs Victorinox blade quality with La Marzocco branding, featuring two blades, a corkscrew, several screwdrivers, a coffee spatula, a steam wand nozzle remover, and more. The collaboration also includes four exclusive La Marzocco Victorinox co-branded espresso machines. (Florence, Italy)

• Wed, 15 Oct – OutIn and Kruve launch barista gift set giveaway. The collaboration between portable espresso maker brand OutIn and sensory glassware specialist Kruve offers followers a chance to win a premium coffee set designed to elevate on-the-go brewing rituals.

• Thu, 16 Oct – Professional coffee tasting app CAppSter launches at HostMilano. The open tool, created by Imperator, CAppSter combines the main cupping protocols for arabica and robusta, the CVA, and Imperator protocols, developed by the company for specific evaluation needs. (Trieste, Italy)

• Thu, 16 Oct – Panera tests new specialty coffee beverages. A 12-week pilot from 15 Oct to 6 Jan will trial four fruit-infused Frescas and caffeinated Energy Refreshers across 65 bakery-cafés in Baltimore, Nashville, and the Mobile-Pensacola area, at both franchised and company-owned sites. (St. Louis, Missouri, US)

• Thu, 16 Oct – Schaerer unveils its Best Foam milk system for Coffee Skye. The upgrade delivers barista-level milk foam via steam heating and a patented mixer, with adjustable milk temperatures and foam textures. Compact Skye suits low-traffic sites up to 180 cups per day, while the Twin Milk enables high-quality plant milk foam. (Zuchwil, Switzerland)

• Thu, 16 Oct – Dalla Corte introduces Zero Plus at HostMilano. The new espresso machine features advanced temperature control, a five-step Digital Flow Regulation system, and its Independent Integrated Multiboiler platform. The DC System automations, like Steam Maestro, OCS, and GCS, serve both professional baristas and luxury home users. (Baranzate, Italy)

• Thu, 16 Oct – JDE Peet’s unveils revamped innovation lab in Utrecht. The newly upgraded modular facility accelerates development across formats from single-serve to instant, supports sustainable packaging design and features energy-efficient systems, underpinning a €8mn investment in R&D scale. (Utrecht, Netherlands)

• Thu, 16 Oct – Mazzer unveils new weight-based grinders at HostMilano. The manufacturer will introduce the Kony g, Super Jolly g and Mini g grinders, each with built-in load cells and vibration filtering to ensure accurate dosing to counteract counter vibrations. The company will also debut the Mazzer Ready, a 75mm flat burr commercial grinder with double dosing features, and the ZZ burr line. (Venice, Italy)

• Thu, 16 Oct – La Marzocco launches Modbar Tea and Pour Over at Out of the Box Milan 2025. The Modbar Tea portafilter and firmware will be available as a package for new Modbar purchases, or as a retrofit kit for existing installations. Featuring the same add-a-tap design used in the Modbar Espresso AV and Steam systems, the Pour Over system allows cafés to add a second Pour Over tap to double capacity. (Florence, Italy)

• Fri, 17 Oct – Wilden Herbals to launch express infusion system Herbpress at HostMilano. The company will unveil Herbpress, a rapid system that allows espresso machines to brew herbal teas in 20 to 50 seconds. It features a patented filter and modular design, and is compatible with both professional and home espresso machines. (Milan, Italy)

• Fri, 17 Oct – Nuova Simonelli to unveil Appia Viva at HostMilano. Appia’s new version features a redesigned user interface, enhanced workflow automation, and energy-saving technology. The machine aims to elevate cup quality and streamline operations for medium-volume venues. (Belforte del Chienti, Italy)

• Fri, 17 Oct – Latte Art Factory debuts BaristaOne Touch at HostMilano. The new super-automatic coffee machine pairs precision engineering with an award-winning milk-foam system to deliver consistent barista-quality drinks, multi-milk compatibility, hot and cold foam, and modular syrup and powder modules for high-volume cafés, hotels, and retail. (Milan, Italy)

• Fri, 17 Oct – LaCimbali to reveal modular super-automatic machine at HostMilano. LaCimbali will showcase an expanded service ecosystem and new service-focused offerings, highlighting M40 with ADMS, M200 GT1 Turbosteam Cold Touch and Profile Touch, IoT connectivity, MUMAC Academy demos, and a MUMAC museum hub at Fieramilano Rho. (Milan, Italy)

• Fri, 17 Oct – Perfect Moose to preview brand-new prototype at HostMilano. The prototype was developed with barista feedback in mind and will be showcased at the company’s booth. Perfect Moose will also unveil upgrades to its automated milk steamers. (Dendermonde, Belgium)

• Fri, 17 Oct – SEB Professional and WMF to launch new office coffee machines at HostMilano. The WMF Perfection Office, the WMF Elevation 10, and the WMF Peak 50 are showcased at the company’s booth. The brands will also host the Espresso Italiano Champion competition with La San Marco and IEI, live barista and latte art demonstrations, featuring WMF espresso NEXT Brand Ambassador Daniel Gerlach, and signature experiences at the Activation Space, and immersive brand zones. (Munich, Germany)

Milestone

• Tue, 14 Oct – Espressolab opens 400th store in Kazakhstan. Now operating in 18 countries, the chain began in 2014 at Istanbul Bilgi University and has grown into a global specialty coffee brand. (Astana, Kazakhstan)

• Wed, 15 Oct – 7 Brew hits 500-stand milestone in eight years. The company celebrated with a race-themed campaign at its Toms River opening and launched nine other stands across nine states the same day. (Toms River, New Jersey, US)

Trade & production

• Wed, 15 Oct – Rwanda’s women coffee farmers harness collective power. Cooperatives are scaling training, better processing and market access to receive higher specialty premiums, diversify buyers and bolster climate resilience. At the same time, initiatives focus on traceability and female leadership to strengthen origin-to-export links. (Kigali, Rwanda)

• Thu, 16 Oct – Uganda export earnings rise 55% as coffee shipments surge. Export revenues rose sharply in the quarter to June, driven by increased coffee shipments and higher global prices. As traders released stocks, this lifted foreign-exchange inflows and annual export totals. (Kampala, Uganda)

• Fri, 17 Oct – Ethiopia’s coffee export revenues surge amid market diversification. First-quarter earnings reached US$762.75mn as July to September shipments totalled 113,542 tonnes (75% of target). Revenue rose 47%, exceeding projections by 23%, with Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Belgium as the top buyers, and Asian markets showing strong growth amid improved traceability. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 13 Oct – Rancilio Specialty and Egro to showcase at HostMilano 2025. The brand will highlight modular systems, user interfaces and integrations for shop, micro roaster and retail settings, spotlighting the new Specialty line and new automation features under the Rancilio family. (Milan, Italy)

• Mon, 13 Oct – Bluewater showcases water purification innovation at Golden Bean Americas. As official water sponsor of Golden Bean Americas 2025, Bluewater supplied systems to deliver contaminant-free water rebalanced with calcium and magnesium, aiming to enhance clarity, consistency, and flavour in brewed coffee. (Houston, Texas, US)

• Tue, 14 Oct – IMF Roasters to showcase roasters at HostMilano. The company will exhibit high-capacity roasters with modular design, energy-recovery systems, IoT roast profiling, and remote telemetry, plus live demos and service briefings aimed at commercial roasters seeking throughput, consistency, and lower emissions. (Milan, Italy)

• Wed, 15 Oct – The Barista League Pacific 2025 is set for 28 November. The competition at the New Zealand International Convention Centre will host regional barista teams competing in espresso, milk, and signature challenges. It will also feature a roasters village and trade partners, offering competition exposure and industry networking. (Auckland, New Zealand)

• Wed, 15 Oct – LaCimbali previews Supera at NACS Show 2025. LaCimbali’s next-generation platform targets convenience and QSR operators with a modular design featuring up to four grinders, a 13″ HD touchscreen, heated metal group, dual-circuit milk module, automatic wash cycle, and customisable self-service or staffed workflows. (Chicago, Illinois, US)

• Wed, 15 Oct – Sustainable Harvest concludes 20th Let’s Talk Coffee in Lima. The 2025 edition gathered producers, roasters, and industry experts to discuss climate impacts, financing, and transparency in coffee. Highlights included Dr Aaron Davis’s keynote on arabica’s future, Blue Bottle-led species tastings, and Sustainable Harvest’s public financial disclosure. (Lima, Peru)

• Thu, 16 Oct – World Coffee Innovation Summit 2025 set for 9 to 11 December. The event gathers coffee technology providers, roasters, and industry leaders to showcase sustainability, intelligent machines, novel brewing formats, and scalable innovations through demos, panels, and networking aimed at accelerating commercial adoption. (London, UK)

• Fri, 17 Oct – Ceado highlights flavour innovation at HostMilano. The manufacturer is presenting new grinder designs emphasising extraction control, bespoke burr geometry, and stepless adjustments. These designs also include modular dosing, reduced retention, and connectivity options aimed at specialty cafés and roasters, with live demos and collaborative R&D showcases. (Milan, Italy)

Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:

• Tue, 7 Oct – SSP promotes George Antoniou to lead EEME operations. George Antoniou was promoted from managing director to CEO for Eastern Europe and the Middle East, overseeing nine markets and about 30 sites. He will focus on boosting returns after leading expansion into Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bulgaria, covering Caffè Ritazza and other SSP brands. (London, UK)

• Thu, 9 Oct – Saudi Arabia’s Barns to expand into Oman and the UAE. Franchise agreements will back mall and high street openings next year, focusing on retail, wholesale, and brand partnerships; Gulf expansion aims to scale the Saudi chain’s specialty menu, support local suppliers and create jobs via franchise recruitment. (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

• Thu, 9 Oct – MiiR updates New Standard coffee collection with four new tools. Releases include a redesigned hand grinder, an Airlock canister with one-press seal, and a taller-walled Pourigami pour over with an updated leakproof 360 lid. (Seattle, Washington, US)

Photo credits: La Marzocco

Sign up to our weekly coffee news recap to get a summary of all the biggest stories in the sector, delivered straight to your inbox every Monday.

Want to keep up with current affairs in the coffee industry? Check out last week’s coffee news stories and make sure to read the latest Coffee Intelligence News & Opinion piece about why Colombia is having a bumper crop year.

The post Coffee News Recap, 17 Oct: Cropster acquires Korean roasting platform Firescope, HostMilano takes place in Italy & other stories appeared first on Perfect Daily Grind.

Editor’s note

US President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have tentatively agreed to an in-person meeting to discuss trade relations and deals. 

As tariffs upend long-standing relationships between US roasters and importers and Brazilian producers and exporters, the promise of a friendly discussion could provide much-needed relief.

Cecafé recently reported a R$5.9mn loss in August due to a lack of coffee shipments, as new arabica harvests arrive and tariffs continue to cause disruptions.

Still, both the Brazilian and US coffee sectors show resilience in the wake of unprecedented challenges. 

At the inaugural edition of the Global Coffee Awards, which recognised excellence among roasters in the US and Canada, there was significant diversity among the origins of the entries submitted. This showcases how the region’s roasters are adapting to changing trade dynamics.

Ultimately, Utopian Coffee in Fort Wayne, Indiana, US, was announced the US & Canada GCA winner. Stamp Act Coffee in Seattle, Washington, US, and Sweet Bloom in Denver, Colorado, US, also received top honours at the event.

In March 2026, these roasters will go head-to-head with the European and Origin GCA winners to vie for the title of world’s best roaster, helping to level the playing field for coffee competitions.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 6 Oct – Coca-Cola reportedly moves closer to selling Costa Coffee. Bain Capital’s Special Situations unit is said to have submitted a first-round bid for Costa, with TDR Capital also among interested parties. The sale follows years of underperformance and a strategic rethink of Coca-Cola’s coffee division. (London, UK)

• Tue, 7 Oct – Lula and Trump agree to meet as Brazil seeks tariff relief for coffee exporters. Lula urged the removal of recent US tariffs that have sharply reduced shipments to the US. Industry groups reported steep falls in both commercial and specialty volumes, and hope that an in-person meeting could decide near-term access for Brazilian coffee exporters. (Brasília, Brazil)

• Wed, 8 Oct – Colombia reports best harvest in decades, but warns of lower 2025/26 crop. Output rose 17% year-on-year to 14.87 million 60kg bags for Oct 2024 to Sep 2025. Exports climbed 6% in September to 1.06 million bags, and export value jumped 79.7% from Jan to Aug 2025 to US$3.67bn. The FNC anticipates that significant rainfall in the first half of 2025 will result in lower volumes for the 2025/26 harvest. (Bogotá, Colombia)

• Wed, 8 Oct – Coffee Collective appoints Mette Maix as new Chair to lead growth strategy. Mette Maix, former Flying Tiger and Berlingske Media CEO, moves from Vice Chair to lead strategy as the Danish roaster seeks recovery after a profit decline. Maix succeeds Cees Kuypers and will focus on growth and operational resilience. (Copenhagen, Denmark)

• Thu, 9 Oct – Global Coffee Awards crowns the US & Canada’s best roasters. Utopian Coffee of Fort Wayne took overall honours at the US & Canada event in Houston. Other category winners included Stamp Act (filter) and Sweet Bloom (flat white dairy). Gold winners progress to the global finals at PRF El Salvador on 26 & 27 March 2026. (Houston, Texas, US)

• Thu, 9 Oct – Longboard’s Into the Mist sets world record for the highest average price in a coffee auction. The company’s debut private auction, organised by M-Cultivo, sold 12 Panama Gesha lots for an average price of US$4,668/kg. The top-selling lot received a bid of US$10,701/kg. The auction was held shortly after the recent passing of Longboard founder, Justin Boudeman. (Boquete, Panama)

• Fri, 10 Oct – New study finds 77% of US consumers say tipping culture has become “ridiculous”. Popmenu’s annual survey finds that US consumers blame mandatory prompts and unclear expectations. Changing attitudes could complicate service pay models and alter customer behaviour at restaurants, coffee shops, and other hospitality businesses. (Columbus, Ohio, US)

• Fri, 10 Oct – Woman charged with fraud after earning millions from selling fake Kona coffee. Patricia “Trish” Johnson was indicted by a federal grand jury after she allegedly made more than US$5.2mn selling “100 % Kona coffee ”, found to be coffees sourced from South America. (Kona, Hawaii, US)

Industry news

• Mon, 6 Oct – Dutch Bros. Foundation donates over US$1.2mn to youth initiatives. Funds will back mental health, education, and community programmes through grants to local non-profits and scholarship initiatives, aiming to expand access to services for young people and strengthen regional outreach. (Grants Pass, Oregon, US)

• Tue, 7 Oct – SSP Group names George Mboya CEO of SSP America. Mboya will lead the airport and rail food & beverage operations for North America, overseeing brands, operations, and growth strategy across the US and Canada. (New York City, New York, US)

• Tue, 7 Oct – Groupe SEB lowers fiscal year outlook. The homeware group cited emerging pressure in the professional appliance market and weakening consumer demand, which led to cutting revenue and margin guidance. It plans to slow industrial investment and prioritise cash flow while sustaining innovation efforts. (Écully, France)

• Wed, 8 Oct – Cimbali Group UK named the best workplaces in manufacturing. A staff survey found that 72% rate the group highly, compared to a 54% sector average. 95% reported fair treatment based on race, 93% based on gender and orientation, and 88% cited physical safety. The firm noted staff progression from barista to engineer. (London, UK)

• Wed, 8 Oct – PTT OR dissolves Café Amazon joint venture in Vietnam. After five years, the Thai petrol group has ended its Vietnam partnership, citing intense local competition that stymied growth. The exit halts further Café Amazon expansion plans and highlights barriers for foreign branded chains in Vietnam’s crowded market. (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

• Wed, 8 Oct – UK government urged to remove VAT on home coffee machines. An industry coalition argues that the 20% VAT in the UK deters people from buying better home brewing equipment, slowing the uptake of efficient machines and reducing long-term savings and waste reduction. The coalition wants the tax removed to support at-home consumption during high café prices. (London, UK)

• Thu, 9 Oct – Cooks Coffee signs supply deal with Tesco Ireland. The deal secures shelf listings for Cooks retail blends across Tesco Ireland stores, widening the New Zealand roaster’s European retail footprint and supporting planned growth. Terms and rollout schedule were not disclosed. (Dublin, Ireland)

• Thu, 9 Oct – Chobani asks judge to dismiss Danone cold brew trademark suit. Chobani contends Danone’s claim lacks merit, arguing that Bright & Mellow is a generic flavour description and that La Colombe’s yellow-and-black packaging will not confuse consumers. The case proceeds in Manhattan federal court after earlier disputes between the rivals. (New York City, New York, US)

• Thu, 9 Oct – Knoops hires two marketing executives. Miguel Martin and Alex Lindblom-Smith join from Joe & The Juice and Starbucks to boost loyalty membership and grow at-home category sales as the specialty drinking chocolate and coffee chain prepares to launch in the US and China. (London, UK)

• Fri, 10 Oct – Equator Coffees boosts US RTD retail reach by 66%. Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Kroger will stock Equator’s cold brew range, expanding distribution to over 2,500 US supermarkets and adding Regenerative Organic Certified multi-serve SKUs, along with decaf, espresso roast, velvet mocha, and oat milk latte variants. (San Rafael, California, US)

• Fri, 10 Oct – Starbucks registers new trademarks in Russia. Registers filed with Rospatent cover food & beverage services, restaurants, cafés and loyalty programmes, extending legal protection of its brand under the logo until May 2034. The move comes after Starbucks’ exit from Russia in 2022 and amid ongoing brand and IP disputes. (Moscow, Russia)

• Fri, 10 Oct – ofi outlines progress towards 2030 climate and social goals. The company shared impact data for 2024, including livelihood support delivered to 98,000 coffee farmers to boost yields and incomes through 50+ partnership programmes with customers, doubling the land area brought under regenerative agriculture compared to the previous year, and generating greenhouse gas (GHG) digital footprints for nearly half of its direct coffee volumes. (Singapore)

• Fri, 10 Oct – VEA Group names new commercial and marketing director. Francesco Rovera will lead brand strategy, market development, and customer experience as the company expands its machine and system offerings globally and reinforces service support. (Bergamo, Italy)

• Fri, 10 Oct – Second Cup, Labatt, and Station Agro-Biotech partner for a new RTD latte line. The joint project combines Labatt’s flavour expertise, Station Agro-Biotech’s dairy innovation, and Second Cup’s branding to create a line of ready-to-drink lattes made with microfiltered milk for a cleaner taste and longer shelf life. Target markets include Canada, East Asia, and the Middle East. (Toronto, Canada)

Businesses for sale

• Thu, 9 Oct – Finlays acquires Leahy-IFP, expands natural beverages platform. Finlays will integrate Leahy-IFP and Finlays Solutions to serve brand owners, retailers, and foodservice globally. The deal doubles Finlays’ North American footprint to seven US sites and will be integrated by January 2026. (Glenview, Illinois, US)

New launch

• Mon, 6 Oct – Comeback launches coffee soda range. Memphis offers coffee sodas in four-pack and case formats, centred around citrus flavour profiles.(Memphis, Tennessee, US)

• Tue, 7 Oct – Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr. launch BERO coffee draught and happy Eternal Hoptimist. BERO Coffee Draught pairs a stout-style beer with a silky, nitrogen-infused mouthfeel. Companion Happy Eternal Hoptimist is a Brazil-Colombia arabica blend with citrus and pine notes, available online and exclusively at Target. (New York City, New York, US)

• Tue, 7 Oct – Tenacta launches Imetec Pro espresso machines. The new sub-brand offers machines with PID temperature control, pre-infusion, espresso group heads, and milk steamer wands. It targets small cafés, B&Bs, and offices, providing trade warranties and access to parts. (Milan, Italy)

• Tue, 7 Oct – The Digital Blend debuts as precision espresso timer watch. Designed by baristas for baristas, the watch counts and displays various variables, including pre-infusion timings and customisable curves for shot profiles. (Portland, Oregon, US)

• Wed, 8 Oct – Rude Health launches luxury barista alternative milk range in UK Waitrose stores from 12 Oct. The new pistachio and hazelnut plant-based milks offer barista-grade texture and pourability for latte art. The launch follows Oddlygood Group’s acquisition of Rude Health and is backed by insights from its recent Plant-based Glass Ceiling Report, which highlights strong potential for category growth, with flavour innovation and quality perceptions emerging as key drivers. (London, UK)

• Thu, 9 Oct – Coffee Coalition for Racial Equity launches Brewing for Equity fellowship. The ten-month leadership programme features monthly sessions, a capstone project, and an optional trip to Ethiopia. The first cohort met in Atlanta and includes coffee business owners and roasters such as Alberto Maturino, Emary Greene, and Martell Mason. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

• Thu, 9 Oct – Steel Oak Coffee launches interactive Coffee Taster’s Flavor Wheel for consumers. Users can choose tasting categories such as floral, fruity, or chocolate, explore sub-flavours, and view matched coffees. The online tool aims to demystify coffee flavour vocabulary and guides shoppers to specialty options. (Ormond Beach, Florida, US)

• Fri, 10 Oct – NCA issues updated coffee product labelling guide. The 24-page guide clarifies country-of-origin labelling, rules on labelling coffee as healthy, and class-action risks. It is hosted in the NCA Coffee Labelling Resource Centre, where members can access the guide and related country-specific tools. (Washington DC, US)

Milestone

• Mon, 6 Oct – Dunkin’ hits 10,000-store milestone in the US. A national footprint underscores the scale of quick-service coffee and breakfast, driven by franchising, drive-thru growth, and a broader menu. The company cites more substantial marketing leverage, supply chain efficiencies, and a renewed focus on convenience as competition intensifies. (Canton, Massachusetts, US)

• Tue, 7 Oct – Lavazza celebrates 130 years with new global campaign featuring John Krasinski, Steve Carell, and Luigi. Behind-the-scenes clips feature Carell, Krasinski, and Lavazza’s Luigi in short films that blend scripted comedy with origin footage. Global spots and social drops will roll out to mark the anniversary and deepen brand storytelling. (Milan, Italy)

• Fri, 10 Oct – Innovea Global Breeding Network named a TIME Best Invention of 2025. The coffee research consortium was recognised for accelerating the development of heat-tolerant and disease-resistant varieties. WCR combined field trials in over 30 countries with data tools to share results rapidly, offering potential climate-resilience gains. (Portland, Oregon, US)

Trade & production

• Tue, 7 Oct – Vietnam targets larger slice of Canadian coffee market. Vietnamese xports to Canada have increased from US$10mn to nearly US$40mn since the accession to the CPTPP, yet the market share remains below 2%. Producers are promoting robusta blends and single origin lots through trade missions and roaster partnerships to secure retail and specialty listings. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

• Wed, 8 Oct – JICA and ECOM agree on US$75mn loan to support Asian coffee farmers. Funds will strengthen farmer cooperatives, improve nurseries and processing, build resilience to climate and price risk, and focus support in Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, and Bangladesh to enhance global supply reliability. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Thu, 9 Oct – Brazilian exporters halt shipment of 625,000 60kg bags in August amid logistics bottleneck. Port congestion and container shortages delayed exports, forcing producers to defer sales and straining cash flow. Traders expect rerouted cargoes, longer lead times, and price volatility as contracts are renegotiated. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Thu, 9 Oct – Indonesia opens new arabica route to Saudi Arabia. Direct shipping lanes, streamlined customs, and local distributor deals cut delivery times and costs, helping Indonesian growers win roast-to-order contracts, expand specialty listings, and offer traceable microlots to Gulf roasters seeking diversified arabica sources. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• Thu, 9 Oct – Ethiopia advances national strategy for EU coffee market compliance. Programme maps plots, builds traceability, trains cooperatives, and adds certification and monitoring tools to help growers meet EU deforestation and due diligence rules, protect specialty premiums, and preserve market access for exporters. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

• Thu, 9 Oct – Asian investments in African agriculture increase. China, Qatar, and the UAE have boosted agricultural investments across Africa in 2025, focusing on crops including coffee, cocoa, and grains. The move aims to strengthen food security and reduce reliance on Western supply chains, with East Africa among the key beneficiaries. (Bloomberg)

• Fri, 10 Oct – Rahul Gandhi promotes India’s specialty coffee potential. The Indian politician posted a video of a Pergamino shop visit in Medellín, praised Colombian farmers’ craft, and urged growers in Wayanad, Coorg, Araku, and the Nilgiris to adopt artisanal processing, sustainable practices, and stronger export promotion to raise global demand. (New Delhi, India)

• Fri, 10 Oct – Mintel issues 2026 food & drink predictions, spotlighting sensory and diversity trends. The three forecasts include Retro Rejuvenation, which focuses on heritage-driven formats, Maxxing Out Diversity In, where consumers seek more varied diets over singular nutrients, and Intentionally Sensory, where brands use colour, texture, and aroma to shape inclusive experiences. (Chicago, Illinois, US)

• Fri, 10 Oct – Coffeesai and Chiapas Coffee Institute launch cell-based coffee collaboration. The Pluri subsidiary and Mexican research institute will co-develop a pilot facility in Chiapas using cell culture to produce neural, cultured coffee products. The project aims to scale domestically and reduce land use and climate impacts. (Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico)

Research

• Tue, 7 Oct – Daily water, coffee, and tea consumption linked to longer life expectancy. Study finds that adults consuming at least 500ml of a mix of water, coffee, and tea daily showed a 17% lower risk of death from all causes over time. Favourable effects emerged even at modest intake levels. (London, UK)

• Wed, 8 Oct – Study links high elevation to more pungent aroma and phenolic content in coffee. Researchers tested four Typica arabica lots from Ethiopia, Peru, Costa Rica, and Guatemala and found the highest-elevation sample (Ethiopia, 2,065m) had the most phenolic compounds and strongest aroma signals. The study notes a small sample and that processing and ripeness also play a role. (Warsaw, Poland)

• Wed, 8 Oct – The use of coffee and sweeteners differently affects body fat and inflammation. A study showed that high coffee intake without sugar was linked to a lower body fat percentage and reduced inflammation markers, while sweetened coffee diminished those benefits. Researchers called for controlled trials to confirm causality. (Boston, Massachusetts, US)

• Thu, 9 Oct – Spent coffee grounds repurposed for carbon capture material. A team at the University of Sharjah has patented technology that converts used coffee grounds and PET plastic waste into activated carbon via co-pyrolysis with potassium hydroxide at ~600°C. The product can adsorb CO₂ and help reduce plastic and coffee waste. (Sharjah, UAE)

• Fri, 10 Oct – Oatly identifies five beverage trends to watch in 2026. Oatly’s Future of Taste report, drawing on interviews with baristas across 23 countries and CultureLab data, highlights surging interest in decaf and low-sugar options, a global flavour exchange of Asian ingredients, fibre-led gut-health drinks, cafe-exclusive destination drinks, and matcha’s staying power. (London, UK)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 6 Oct – The Barista League Pacific 2025 competition announced. The event will take place on 28 November at the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland. Teams will compete in espresso, milk, and signature drink challenges, with opportunities for brand exposure and networking among coffee professionals. (Auckland, New Zealand)

• Mon, 6 Oct – Simonelli Group to celebrate 120 years at HostMilano. With its three brands, Victoria
• Arduino, Nuova Simonelli and 3TEMP, Simonelli will showcase the Black Eagle Maverick espresso machine range, the renewed Eagle One user experience, and the new Mythos MY6 grinder. The brand will also co-host the official Bloom book launch. (Belforte del Chienti, Italy)

• Tue, 7 Oct – Spanish AeroPress Championship 2025 scheduled for 11 October. The national qualifier takes place during the Madrid Café Festival (CAFÉFÍ), featuring classes, demonstrations, and a showcase of specialty coffees. (Madrid, Spain)

• Tue, 7 Oct – AD Jetinno to premiere flagship brewers at HostMilano. New machines include integrated grinders, advanced flow control, and touchscreen interfaces. The company says these systems suit both café and shop-in-shop formats and will be fully demonstrated at the fair. (Guangzhou, China)

• Wed, 8 Oct – Equal Origins to mark tenth anniversary with International Day of Rural Women webinar. A virtual session on 15 October at 10:30 AM EDT/3:30 PM GMT/4:30 PM CET will feature Kelly Amoroso, Brooke Cantrell, Pam Schreier, Pablo Ruiz, Trung Pham, and Billy Tchakam, who will discuss lessons learned from a decade of gender equity work and priorities for 2026. (Washington, DC, US)

• Wed, 8 Oct – SIGEP 2026 to showcase latest trends and innovations in coffee, gelato, and more from 16 to 20 January. Now in its 47th edition, the event is one of the most important international showcases for gelato, pastry, chocolate, coffee, bread, and pizza supply chains. Organisers anticipate a record-breaking edition, with 1,300 exhibiting brands from over 30 countries and an estimated 150,000 visiting professional operators from over 150 countries. (Rimini, Italy)

• Thu, 9 Oct – World Coffee Innovation Summit 2025 scheduled for 9 to 11 December. The event will bring together coffee technology providers, roasters, and industry leaders to explore sustainability, intelligent machines, new brewing formats, and scalable innovations at the intersection of coffee and technology. (London, UK)

• Thu, 9 Oct – VEA Group unveils six new machines for HostMilano. Carimali Lumina and Lumina Compact offer CARImilk and Smart Brewing features. The brand will also showcase the SilverAce syrup station, Glow, Nimble, Elektra Jolie, Eklipto, and the Heylo Milky induction milk module, with live demonstrations taking place. (Bergamo, Italy)

• Thu, 9 Oct – illycaffè reveals 27 finalists for Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award 2025. Finalists come from Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Nicaragua, and Rwanda and were selected based on quality and regenerative farming criteria. Winners will be announced in Rome on 6 November, with special recognition for Best of the Best and Coffee Lovers’ Choice categories. (Trieste, Italy)

• Thu, 9 Oct – Wega to premiere new Polar espresso machine at HostMilano. The new model includes an adjustable drip tray, an integrated 3.5” touchscreen display, boiler pressure adjustment, lighting and cup warmer intensity, the Autosteamer Plus with four customisable recipes for temperature and milk texture, and SmartGrind and Beans2Cloud features. (Treviso, Italy)

• Fri, 10 Oct – Macap to unveil Supra G series at HostMilano. The new professional grinder range emphasises modular workflow, improved throughput, quieter motors, and simple serviceability, with live demonstrations and technical briefings on the company stand. (Sarezzo, Italy)

• Fri, 10 Oct – Rules and regulations released for the 2026 World Latte Art Championship in San Diego. The new rules introduce flexible round formats to broaden entry, clarify penalties for incorrect beverage orders, permit cooling tools while prohibiting changes in milk composition, and transform the Art Bar into an audience-judged side contest with mandatory participation. (San Diego, California, US)

• Fri, 10 Oct – Iberital to celebrate 50th anniversary at HostMilano. The company will present the new Refrent espresso machine collection and the VISTA SCA Spain, the official espresso machine of Spain’s Barista and Latte Art Championships. (Barcelona, Spain)

Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:

• Mon, 29 Sep – Bentley partners with Joe & The Juice on coffee-themed activations. A joint programme paired Bentley’s design heritage with Joe & The Juice retail, featuring pop-ups and showroom activations. The activations showcased curated menus, barista demonstrations, and interior collaborations that blended automotive details with contemporary café design. (Copenhagen, Denmark)

• Thu, 2 Oct – Eurest introduces Sum>One Coffee Roasters to workplace marketplaces. The programme pairs café-quality blends with Project DIRECT funding, directs a portion of sales to farmer support, and introduces direct-trade and fair trade origins to Eurest coffee bars, as well as retail, catering, and seasonal menus. (Charlotte, North Carolina, US)

• Fri, 3 Oct – Crimson Cup supports new cafés through the 7 Steps to Success programme. Five independent shops opened in six months across three states after receiving site selection, operations, and barista training from Crimson Cup’s 7 Steps to Success. All locations serve the roaster’s Friend2Farmer coffees, part of a programme that has supported 300+ entrepreneurs in 37 states. (Columbus, Ohio, US)

Photo credits: Marett Media

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The post Coffee News Recap, 10 Oct: Colombia reports best harvest in decades, but warns of lower 2025/26 crop, Global Coffee Awards crowns best roaster in US & Canada & other stories appeared first on Perfect Daily Grind.

Editor’s note

A recent study of 4,000 people found that coffee consumption in Brazil is on the decline.

Following an increase in retail prices, 24% of respondents reported reducing their coffee intake. In early March 2025, shortly after two quick consecutive hikes, major Brazilian roaster 3 Coracoes raised its prices by over 14%. According to ABIC, Brazilian supermarket coffee prices have already increased by 40% this year, with further increases anticipated.

While domestic consumption is expected to see a slight recovery driven by population growth in the coming months, high retail prices are likely to limit per capita demand. 

On the trade and production side, Cecafé reported a further 20% drop in Brazilian exports to the US in September, following a steep 46% decline in August. The association warns that exports could decline further if US tariffs stay in place.

There’s still no confirmation of whether Congress will pass the proposed bill to exempt coffee from import levies. Future trade negotiations will also need to adhere to one of President Trump’s latest executive orders, which updated tariff rules to potentially exempt products not grown in the US in sufficient quantities.

Global trade dynamics continue to shift, becoming more fragmented and redirecting exports to different markets in the long term. For now, coffee retail prices are likely to keep rising.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 29 Sep – Fairtrade supports additional delay to EUDR. In response to publishing delays and confusion over scope, Fairtrade International urges that enforcement be postponed to allow producer countries time for adaptation, stressing that ill-prepared farmers risk losing market access under the new EU deforestation regulation. (Bonn, Germany)

• Mon, 29 Sep – Merriam-Webster dictionary officially includes “cold brew”. The Collegiate revision defines cold brew as coffee steeped in cold or room-temperature water and is part of a broad update adding thousands of entries, signalling mainstream recognition of the cold brew trend. (Springfield, Massachusetts, US)

• Tue, 30 Sep – The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops open nominations for South America. The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to recognise café excellence across local, continental, and global levels, with the ranking to be presented at Cafés de Colombia Expo in Bogotá and intended to boost visibility and celebrate regional craft and hospitality. (Bogotá, Colombia)

• Tue, 30 Sep – Cecafé warns Brazil’s US exports could fall further if tariffs stay in place. After a 46% decline in US shipments during August and an additional 20% decline through mid-September, Cecafe President Márcio Ferreira said that unless the 50% tariff is removed, US exports will continue to decline, threatening Brazil’s long-term presence in its top market. (Vitória, Brazil)

• Wed, 1 Oct – Brazil’s coffee consumption drops as domestic retail prices rise. A biannual ABIC-commissioned study of 4,000 respondents found a 24% cut in consumption in 2025. The number of people who reported drinking over six cups daily fell to 26% from 29%. The survey cites price as a growing factor, risking lower café footfall and reduced specialty sales. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Thu, 2 Oct – Roasting Party launches crowdfunding to support UK expansion. A crowdfunding campaign aims to scale monthly roasting events into new cities, purchase roasting and event equipment, and fund a permanent community space. Backer tiers offer event tickets, merchandise, and access to training. (London, UK)

• Thu, 2 Oct – The 2025 winners of the World Coffee Innovation Awards announced. Winners, announced at Caffè Culture, include the Hardtap from Hardtank for Technology Innovation, Eversys’ Legacy+ Machine for Automatic Coffee Machine, Boxx Coffee Roasters for Specialty Coffee Roaster, and Sky Barn’s +Adaptogens Oat Milk for Barista Milk. (London, UK)

• Fri, 3 Oct – New record price of US$1,878/kg for Yemeni coffee. A natural Yemenia lot from Yahya Al Faqeeh sold for US$1,878/kg at the 2025 Best of Yemen auction. A total of 33 lots sold with an average price of nearly US$302/kg, underscoring strong global demand and high premiums for rare Yemeni microlots. (Sana’a, Yemen)

• Fri, 3 Oct – Bain Capital bids for Costa Coffee. A first-round offer from Bain Capital’s Special Situations unit values the chain at approximately £2 billion, as Coca-Cola explores a sale following a weak performance. TDR Capital has also shown interest, while Apollo has withdrawn from the process. (London, UK)

Industry news

• Mon, 29 Sep – Repa expands Hemro parts distribution worldwide. Original spare parts for Mahlkönig, Ditting, Anfim, and HeyCafé are now sold through REPA’s platform globally (excluding Japan and the UK), with no minimum order requirements, automated fulfilment centres, and AI tools to reduce lead times and minimise downtime for roasters and service centres. (Cesena, Italy)

• Mon, 29 Sep – UNDP and Lavazza’s deforestation-free coffee shortlisted for GAEA Awards. The joint programme, which supports deforestation-free cultivation through producer capacity development, monitoring, carbon accounting, and market incentives, is among eight finalists globally. Winners will be announced at the climate innovation forum in October. (Milan, Italy)

• Mon, 29 Sep – Zus Coffee targets expansion in Pakistan and Morocco. Co-founder Venon Tian said the chain will open in Pakistan via a local master franchise and expects a Moroccan debut in early 2026, while targeting 850 stores in Malaysia, 20 in Thailand, 190–200 in the Philippines, a first Indonesian outlet in Q1, and over 1,000 sites overall. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

• Mon, 29 Sep – Starbucks CTO resigns amid tech shake-up. Deb Hall Lefevre departed without a permanent replacement, and Ningyu Chen was named interim CTO. The change accompanies recent corporate cuts and a tech overhaul that includes order-sequencing algorithms, a mobile-order revamp, an AI assistant for staff, and AI inventory tools, with growing use of an India-based contractor. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Tue, 30 Sep – Pret appoints Matthew Bresnahan as new CMO. Bresnahan moves from Restaurant Brands International and will oversee Pret’s global and local marketing, product innovation, loyalty, customer insights, PR, and delivery strategy as the chain expands further into coffee and food. (London, UK)

• Tue, 30 Sep – Cooks Coffee Company sales rise nearly 27%. Cooks reported a 26.9% increase in system-wide store sales over 26 weeks, with same-store growth of 3.5% in the UK and 6.4% in Ireland. During the period, it added eleven stores in the UK and two in Ireland, reaching a total of 77 outlets in the UK and 20 outlets in Ireland, respectively. (London, UK)

• Tue, 30 Sep – Lavazza pilot spotlights Stravito AI Personas launch. The tool converts segmentation research into interactive consumer profiles, allowing teams to test messaging, packaging, and product concepts in real-time. The project helps reduce weeks of validation time to hours and provide traceable, market-specific feedback. (Stockholm, Sweden)

• Wed, 1 Oct – Maxwell House temporarily rebrands as Maxwell Apartment. The limited-edition marketing stunt is to reflect the rising costs and coffee and housing in the US. (Chicago, Illinois, US)

• Thu, 2 Oct – Project Café USA 2026 finds growth slowed in US branded coffee market. The report found that US branded coffee market, worth around US$58.5bn, grew over 6% over the last 12 months to exceed 45,200 outlets. Most chains achieved year-on-year sales growth during the same period, but tariffs and rising costs are creating a challenging landscape for operators. (London, UK)

• Fri, 3 Oct – Regenerative coffee sales surge in the UK. In the £4.8 billion retail coffee market, regenerative labels now represent nearly 8% of sales value. The shift responds to consumer demand amid climate risks, with industry players stating that soil health, biodiversity, and supply resilience are driving adoption across roasters and retailers. (London, UK)

• Fri, 3 Oct – Mega Coffee parent fined over unfair franchise practices. Korea’s Fair Trade Commission imposed a ₩2.29 billion penalty on Mega Coffee’s parent for forcing franchisees to absorb gift card fees, mandating equipment purchases, and charging hidden marketing costs. The chain says reforms are already underway. (Seoul, South Korea)

New launch

• Mon, 29 Sep – Joe & The Juice opens first North Africa store in Rabat. The outlet marks the chain’s 100th franchised site, expanding its MENA footprint to seven markets and signalling a franchising-led growth strategy, alongside local retail partnerships at Le Marché Dar Essalam. (Rabat, Morocco)

• Mon, 29 Sep – Smeg launches ECF03 espresso machine with rapid cold-brew mode. The retro-styled ECF03 features a 58mm portafilter, pressure gauge, professional steam wand, adjustable brew temperatures, a compact footprint, and multiple colourways. Cold extraction bypasses the thermoblock to deliver cold coffee. (London, UK)

• Tue, 30 Sep – Volcanica launches barista milk subscription box. Each monthly box pairs single origin Volcanica beans with a 32oz Minor Figures barista oat milk. Choices include grind, roast, and ethical certifications, with purchases funding clean-water projects in producing regions. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

• Tue, 30 Sep – Gregorys and Nuzest launch plant-based protein coffee. Blending Nuzest plant protein with Gregorys espresso, the drink will be rolled out in select Gregorys stores in New York, accompanied by sampling promotions. (New York City, New York, US)

• Tue, 30 Sep – Dutch Bros and Lonely Ghost launch custom beverage collab. The limited-edition “Express Yourself” menu enables customers to personalise drinks with colours, designs, and flavour combinations, featuring digital overlays and AR visuals to share on social media. Participating stores may also host interactive self-expression walls and themed playlists. (Grants Pass, Oregon, US)

• Tue, 30 Sep – Cuisinart debuts pod-free custom grind-and-brew machine. The new single-cup maker combines a burr grinder, brew chamber, and stainless steel cup in one. Users can customise grind size, brew time, and temperature, with anti-clogging technology and internal cleaning cycles. (Norwalk, Connecticut, US)

• Wed, 1 Oct – MiiR updates New Standard coffee collection. Highlights include a redesigned hand grinder for consistent coarse-to-espresso particle sizes, an Airlock canister with a one-press inner seal, a taller-walled Pourigami pour-over, and an updated leakproof 360 lid that signals closure. A limited Party Collection marks the brand’s 15th anniversary. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Wed, 1 Oct – Nucleus Coffee Tools launches Bloom brew bed preparation tool. The new brew-bed tool, designed with retractable needle configurations and a FlowTip system, aims to enhance flavour clarity and consistency while reducing channelling. The global launch is set for December 2025. (Canberra, Australia)

• Thu, 2 Oct – Fellow unveils Pirch espresso glassware collection. The brand says the thermally tuned walls preserve temperature, a thin rim improves sip experience, interior curves aid latte art pouring, and calibrated weight enhances hand feel. The cup is available in four sizes and four colourways. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Fri, 3 Oct – Vivreau launches PURITY HCHF hot and cold filters. The company says its high-flow cartridges help enhance water quality for busy cafés, protect machines from scale, and improve the flavour of cold brew and hot beverages. The filter are NSF certified and US-made. (Vancouver BC, Canada)

• Fri, 3 Oct – Dimitra and NACCU launch EUDR compliance system for Kenyan coffee. The platform will register farms, map plots with GPS, conduct deforestation risk surveys, and generate EUDR-aligned compliance and carbon reports via offline mobile apps in English and Swahili, aiming to bring NACCU’s 1 million+ farmers in Meru, Nyeri, Kiambu, Kipkelion, and Mt. Elgon into export markets. (Nairobi, Kenya)

• Fri, 3 Oct – illy launches the “Why We Make It” campaign with a Milan pop-up venue. A new film and immersive installation showcase the brand’s origin relationships and sustainability commitments, pairing sensory displays and guided tastings to translate production stories into consumer experiences. (Milan, Italy)

• Fri, 3 Oct – Portbrew nears the launch of its all-in-one coffeemaker. The compact modular device unites a grinder and precision brewing tools for small kitchens, prioritising consistent extraction, easy storage, and simple adjustments. It’s aimed at home baristas seeking café-style drinks. (Portland, Oregon, US)

Milestone

• Mon, 29 Sep – Yum China recognised in Fortune’s 2025 “Change the World” for KFC food bank. The KFC Food Bank, launched in 2020 in Shenzhen, operates over 1,000 stations across 180 cities, redistributing surplus, in-date food to local communities and aiming for a 10% reduction in food waste per restaurant by 2030. (Shanghai, China)

Trade & production

• Mon, 29 Sep – Colombia’s premium coffee reportedly under pressure from cheaper Brazilian beans. Tariff-driven trade shifts and ample Brazilian supply have narrowed premiums for Colombian arabica, squeezing exporter margins and prompting roasters to rebalance their blends, while raising pressure on specialty producers to prove the quality of their origins and retain buyers, according to the FNC. (Bogotá, Colombia)

• Mon, 29 Sep – HomeState Coffee Factory seen as a turning point for PNG’s coffee sector. A community-operated facility aims to enhance on-farm quality, minimise post-harvest losses, and increase incomes by facilitating the local processing of coffee. Advocates say it may help shift PNG’s industry from bulk bean supply to higher-value, specialty markets. (Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea)

• Thu, 2 Oct – Brazil’s Jacu bird coffee dodges US tariffs as specialty exports plunge. US 50% tariffs in August hit Brazil’s specialty exports hard, with shipments to the US down nearly 70% month-on-month. Producers report that roaster demand is shifting to Japan, the UK, and domestic buyers, and some premium lots, such as Jacu bird coffee, command up to US$1,300/kg. (Domingos Martins, Brazil)

• Thu, 2 Oct – Coffee futures recover as StoneX forecasts balanced 2025–26 market. ICE arabica rose 0.7% to US 374.85 cents/lb, and London robusta gained 0.3% to US$4,200/tonne as typhoon concerns in Vietnam tightened nearby supply. StoneX says global stocks fell 22 million 60kg bags in four years and expects a slight 400,000-bag surplus for 2025-26. (London, UK)

• Fri, 3 Oct – Brazil poised to lead global robusta expansion. Rabobank projects Brazil’s robusta output at 24.7 million 60kg bags in 2025. High yields (approximately 170% above arabica) and irrigation (approximately 71% of robusta area) offset setup costs of US$15,700/ha, with payback near four years, and large degraded pastures enabling deforestation-free expansion. (São Paulo, Brazil)

Research

• Mon, 29 Sep – New review explores the impact of coffee on mood and sleep. Researchers looked at over 54 studies on how caffeine, polyphenols, and other natural compounds affect depression, anxiety, and sleep. They found that moderate caffeine consumption might lower the risk of depression. However, too much caffeine can make anxiety worse or disrupt sleep, depending on the amount consumed and how sensitive a person is to it. (Boston, Massachusetts, US)

• Tue, 30 Sep – Nespresso links coffee intake to improved mental wellbeing. The brand’s new survey shows that over 90% of Americans view their morning coffee as central to mental health and mindfulness. (Vevey, Switzerland)

• Tue, 30 Sep – Study finds daily coffee and tea drinking could boost longevity. Research with older adults found that those who consumed coffee or green tea had a lower risk of death and of developing functional disability over time. The effects appear stronger with moderate consumption and consistent habits. (Boston, Massachusetts, US)

• Wed, 1 Oct – EU funds research to protect coffee and cacao from climate threats. The Horizon-EU project, Brewing Resilience, addresses climate-related risks, including drought and biodiversity loss. It aims to develop tools for adaptation, including alternative crop varieties and sustainable farming practices, to protect the supply chains for cacao and coffee. (Brussels, Belgium)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 29 Sep – Slow Coffee Festival 2025 to take place on 4 & 5 October in Bucharest. This year’s festival is set to be the biggest one yet, with over 100 exhibitors confirmed, more than 50,000 visitors expected, and a space ten times larger than previous editions. The event celebrates local and regional specialty coffee culture, while also promoting mindfulness in coffee consumption.(Bucharest, Romania)

• Tue, 30 Sep – The Barista League: Africa 2025 lines up in Johannesburg. On 4 October, 20 barista teams from across the African continent will compete in a fast-paced format combining drinks and sensory challenges. Judges include Stevo Kühn (2025 Africa Barista Champion), Leroy Kgopa, and Obakeng “Tiny” Tshabalala. (Johannesburg, South Africa)

• Tue, 30 Sep – !Fest Coffee Mission opens office in Argentina. The direct trade importer launched its new Buenos Aires hub during Exigí Buen Café, showcasing exclusive lots and fostering connections. The space will host cuppings, roaster meetups, and community initiatives. (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

• Wed, 1 Oct – Spanish AeroPress Championship 2025 set for 25 October. The national qualifier will take place during the Madrid Café Festival (CAFÉFÍ) and select a barista to represent Spain at the World AeroPress Championship, featuring classes, demos, and a specialty coffee showcase. (Madrid, Spain)

• Wed, 1 Oct – SEB Professional Beverage to unveil WMF trio and multi-brand line for HostMilano. The group will showcase compact WMF Perfection Office, Elevation 10 and Peak 50 (40–80 cups/day), alongside Schaerer, Curtis, La San Marco and Zummo concepts. (Milan, Italy)

• Thu, 2 Oct – Thermoplan will unveil new lines at HostMilano. The brand will showcase the Mikafi roaster, ThermoplanConnect 2.0 telemetry, AirSteam and AutoSteam milk technology, a dual-milk Black&White4C option, and modular mechanics to reduce downtime and support high-volume operations during the event, which will run from 17 to 21 October. (Milan, Italy)

• Fri, 3 Oct – Voting opens for the European Coffee & Hospitality Awards 2025. The winners will be revealed at a black-tie gala on 25 November, during the COHO Expo. EC&HA will present the prizewinners selected from a Top 150 shortlist across 15 categories, with five new awards recognising sustainability and innovation, and attendance from leading industry figures. (Berlin, Germany)

• Thu, 2 Oct – hkoffee to showcase IoT coffee-machine tools at HostMilano. Plug and play hardware links coffee machines and grinders to dashboards for predictive maintenance, consumption analytics and quality control, reducing downtime and proving clearer ROI. (Milan, Italy)

• Fri, 3 Oct – Victoria Arduino to showcase Black Eagle Maverick at HostMilano. Core and Maverick models prioritise energy efficiency, refined thermal control, and filter-style extraction, with design updates to enhance thermal performance and daily productivity. (Belforte del Chienti, Italy)

Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:

• Mon, 22 Sep – Eversys to debut new booth concept at HostMilano. Eversys will unveil a pavilion concept featuring Legacy+ machines that combine technology and premium design. The showcase includes Shotmasters-crafted coffee cocktails, daily latte art performances, and new telemetry tools for real-time performance insights. (Sierre, Switzerland)

• Thu, 25 Sep – Cotti Coffee opens first Tennessee café. The debut outlet marks the brand’s extension beyond Florida into Tennessee. The café features mochas, nitro lattes, signature blends, and “cloud” drinks with nitrous-frothed milk. (Murfreesboro, Tennessee, US)

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Editor’s note

Dubai’s Roasters Specialty Coffee House has set a new Guinness World Record for the most expensive cup of coffee.

At its flagship downtown store, Roasters’ is serving a Gesha for AED 2,500 (approximately US$680) per cup. Brewed using the V60 method and served in a bespoke Edo Kiriko crystal glass, the Gesha is a strategic differentiator in the highly competitive and exclusive UAE market. The coffee’s extraordinary price tag signals how prestige and scarcity can drive brand appeal and exposure – but we should expect to see even higher prices over the next few years.

Looking more broadly, the European Commission has proposed another one-year delay to the EUDR. The complexity of the legislation means that setting up digital systems to handle transaction-related data is taking longer than expected, according to the Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy.

If approved, this would be the second postponement of the EUDR, initially scheduled for December 2024. Since its announcement in June 2023, producers, traders, and roasters have been preparing for the landmark regulation, which, even with delays, is already reshaping global trade dynamics.

However, as US tariffs continue to drive market volatility, news of another reprieve could provide necessary relief. Conversely, those who have already invested heavily in compliance procedures could feel frustrated.

Ultimately, the extra time is only valuable if the coffee sector uses it to build robust, resilient, and sustainable systems.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 22 Sep – Dubai’s Roasters Specialty Coffee House sells Gesha for US$680 per cup. The coffee is prepared using a V60 and served in an Edo Kiriko crystal glass. Roasters’ received a Guinness World Record for the “World’s Most Exclusive Cup of Coffee”. (Dubai, UAE)

• Tue, 23 Sep – Bids for Costa Coffee fall short of Coca-Cola’s expectations. Several suitors submitted offers below Coca-Cola’s target, sources say, prompting a fresh round of outreach as advisers seek improved proposals. Interest spans both private equity and strategic bidders, but initial offers were widely regarded as “disappointing”. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

• Tue, 23 Sep – New Bloom book chronicles the life and career of World Barista Champion Mikael Jasin. Coffee journalist Tigger Chaturabul’s Bloom tells the story of 2024 World Barista Champion Mikael Jasin, blending biography, competition insights, and self-discovery guidance, with release set for October 2025 during HostMilano. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

• Wed, 24 Sep – European Commission proposes additional one-year delay to EUDR. The Commission cites a lack of IT readiness, which would delay due diligence and traceability checks for forest-risk commodities, including coffee. Exporters gain breathing space while NGOs warn of reputational and environmental risks. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Wed, 24 Sep – Joe Coffee adds a 1.5% surcharge to offset tariff costs. The New York specialty coffee chain has increased its retail prices to cover higher import tariffs on green and roasted beans, stating that it aims to protect staff pay and menu stability while passing a modest portion of the elevated supply costs onto customers. (New York City, New York, US)

• Thu, 25 Sep – Arabica futures fall as Brazilian rains ease crop fears. Improved rainfall in Brazil has raised hopes for flowering and a stronger 2026 crop, prompting traders to trim their long positions and pushing New York arabica futures lower after a recent spike, as visible stocks and export flows are reassessed. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 26 Sep – Japan to host 2027 World Barista Championship and World of Coffee Asia. WoC Tokyo will take place from 28 April to 1 May 2027 at Tokyo Big Sight, hosting the 27th World Barista Championship alongside exhibitions, seminars, cuppings, and more. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Fri, 26 Sep – Nestlé’s Board of Directors appoints Alfonso Gonzalez Loeschen as Nespresso CEO. Loeschen, currently the CEO of Nespresso North America, will assume his new role on 1 November 2025. He replaces Philipp Navratil, who was promoted to Nestlé CEO following Laurent Freixe’s recent dismissal. (Vevey, Switzerland)

Industry news

• Mon, 22 Sep – Louis Dreyfus Company’s coffee division reports higher operating profit. The increase in operating profit in H1 was driven by higher volumes and increased coffee prices. In contrast, the group’s core EBITDA and net profit declined, while capital expenditure rose. (Paris, France)

• Tue, 23 Sep – Blue Tokai to lower prices following Indian government tax reduction. The Indian specialty roaster will lower prices on selected packaged coffees and café menu items to reflect a recent GST reduction, passing tax savings to consumers across retail, online, and café channels while citing affordability and market access. (New Delhi, India)

• Tue, 23 Sep – ICO calls for collaboration on International Coffee Day. This year’s campaign theme, “Embracing Collaboration More Than Ever,” asks governments, industry, and civil society to register events, use #ICD2025, and share the ICO’s multilingual toolkit, aiming for practical, supply chain-wide measures to improve farmer incomes, resilience, and sustainability. (London, UK)

• Wed, 24 Sep – Bangladeshi roasters push specialty coffee growth. Specialty roasters and cafés in Dhaka and Chittagong are introducing single origin blends, in-house roasting, and barista training to enhance cup quality and appeal to consumers, with a focus on local sourcing, education, and premium experiences. (Dhaka, Bangladesh)

• Wed, 24 Sep – Lavazza doubles UK profits after price rises. Premium ranges and retail growth drove sales despite elevated input and energy costs. Margin recovery was achieved through pricing, efficiency measures, and a favourable channel mix, enabling the UK business to restore profitability and fund further market investment. (London, UK)

• Wed, 24 Sep – Mokas appoints Christian Coleman to lead Midwest expansion. Coleman signed a six-unit agreement covering Johnson, Douglas, and Shawnee counties, plans an Olathe opening in March 2026, and will oversee franchise recruitment, site development, and operations across the Kansas City metro. (Salina, Kansas, US)

• Wed, 24 Sep – Paulig’s venture capital arm invests €4mn in Scindo. Scindo, a Finnish producer of alternative ingredients derived from mycelium, has secured funding to scale sustainable protein and lipid solutions. The investment from PINC supports product development, pilot-scale manufacturing, and broader commercial partnerships. (Helsinki, Finland)

• Thu, 25 Sep – SCA and SCAJ sign MoU to expand CVA education in Japan. The agreement will broaden access to the Coffee Value Assessment and “evolved” Q programme, establish a national pool of CVA instructors, align Japanese practices with international standards, and promote joint training across the value chain to enhance quality assessment and market transparency. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Thu, 25 Sep – Klatch Coffee expands in California in partnership with Sprouts Farmers Market. The specialty coffee roaster confirmed three new in-store cafés in Eastvale, Fullerton, and Rancho Cucamonga, following the successful completion of a pilot in Fontana. Sprouts has outlined plans for a 20-café programme across Southern California, offering Klatch espresso, cold brew, and a limited food menu inside grocery stores. (Rancho Cucamonga, California, US)

• Thu, 25 Sep – UK’s Butterwick bakery to close 12 of 14 stores amid cost pressures. Owners blamed unsustainable operating costs and shifts in customer spending. The business will focus on its Rushden Lakes and St Giles’ Street sites, pursuing menu upgrades, handcrafted beverages, and an improved coffeehouse experience following recent refurbishments. (Kettering, UK)

• Thu, 25 Sep – Nespresso claims first Rainforest Alliance regenerative-certified coffee. Certification covers a coffee lot verified under the Rainforest Alliance’s new regenerative agriculture standard, aiming to reward on-farm practices that restore soil, enhance biodiversity, and improve farmer livelihoods. The company plans scaled rollouts and farmer training to meet demand. (Lausanne, Switzerland)

• Fri, 26 Sep – Starbucks to close hundreds of underperforming North America stores, including Seattle roastery. Restructuring will cost US$1bn and is expected to reduce company-operated US and Canadian locations by approximately 1% by the end of the fiscal year. Support team job losses and hiring freezes are anticipated, while investment will shift to staffing, technology, and in-store experience. Some stores in the UK, Switzerland, and Austria will also close. (Seattle, Washington, US)

Businesses for Sale

• Thu, 25 Sep – Odeko acquires Six Degrees Coffee to expand Northern California footprint. Six Degrees’ customers, including independent cafés, drive-thrus, bakeries, and campuses, will gain access to Odeko Supply mobile ordering, a national product catalogue, 24/7 support, and financing and insurance services, bringing digital tools to local operators. (Chico, California, US)

• Fri, 26 Sep – Maestroast acquires Whiteheads. Plans include scaling Whiteheads’ roasting capacity for private label clients, protecting existing cafés from closure, and using Maestroast’s supply chain and farmer network to help the 167-year-old business manage rising costs and market volatility. (Bristol, UK)

New launch

• Mon, 22 Sep – Oddlygood Group publishes the Plant-Based Glass Ceiling Report, finds cafés are critical drivers of plant milk consumption. Based on a survey of 2,000 UK low, lapsed, and non plant-based users, the report highlights how nearly one in five lapsed users (19%) and over one in five low users (21%) say that trying plant-based in cafés would encourage them to drink more. The report also includes commentary from coffee expert and World Barista Champion, Dale Harris, and offers practical tips for operators. (London, UK)

• Tue, 23 Sep – illy opens experiential pop-up cafe in New York. An interactive installation explores the company’s sourcing and roasting philosophy, featuring guided cuppings, chef collaborations, limited-edition blends, and retail pop-ups, with events and educational talks scheduled to run through late September. (New York City, New York, US)

• Tue, 23 Sep – Starbucks brings back its limited-edition Apple Crisp fall menu. Seasonal offerings return with apple-flavoured lattes and bakery items, available in-store and via the app. The rollout pairs menu favourites with loyalty offers to drive traffic during the autumn peak. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Wed, 24 Sep – NCA releases Spanish and Portuguese NCDT highlights. The National Coffee Association has launched translated Fall 2025 NCDT Highlights reports in Spanish and Portuguese, priced at US$499 each, with broader access available through its US$550 annual membership package. (New York, US)

• Wed, 24 Sep – El Mayor debuts a coffee-infused tequila. The Café Reposado tequila, aged in oak, features notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and toasted oak. The launch includes a limited retail release, tasting events, and direct online sales across the US. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Wed, 24 Sep – Ciarra launches Bloombox portable espresso machine. The compact 20-bar, self-heating unit delivers quick heat-up time with a snap-on brewing workflow, available from 23 September via Ciarra online stores, targeting travel and urban kitchens. (Hamburg, Germany)

• Wed, 24 Sep – Melitta opens new testing lab in North America. The company established a roast and quality lab in Cherry Hill, with a capacity for flavour profiling, ingredient trials, and prototype roasting. The lab acts as support for regional R&D and new product innovation. (Cherry Hill, New Jersey, US)

• Thu, 25 Sep – Bootlegger makes international debut with two Namibian sites. A Cape Town-based group aims to target 200 stores by 2028, positioning international openings as the first phase of expansion. The group prioritises grab-and-go formats, quick-service operations, and local partnerships to support a rapid regional roll-out. (Windhoek, Namibia)

• Thu, 25 Sep – Chick-fil-A to open Daybright beverage concept in Hiram. Red Wagon Ventures will operate a standalone brand offering specialty coffees, smoothies, cold-pressed juices, and a limited food menu. It will not serve core Chick-fil-A items; further details and an opening date will be announced soon. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

• Thu, 25 Sep – Flavia unveils its new Aroma brewer. The compact Aroma system offers over 20 café-style drinks, utilising Freshpack technology to prevent flavour crossover. Two finishes and a 12-oz Lavazza Momento range have been launched for larger pours, and the system is now available online. (West Chester, Pennsylvania, US)

• Thu, 25 Sep – Black Rock Coffee Bar opens new Texas store. The outlet in Katy is the chain’s 23rd Greater Houston site and 45th in Texas. Launch promotions include free 16-oz drinks, buy-one-get-one offers, and half-price food. Guests can earn bolts via the Black Rock Rewards app across 160+ locations. (Katy, Texas, US)

• Fri, 26 Sep – illycaffè takes CoffeeB system to Italy. The patented brewing technology utilises fully compostable coffee balls to deliver single-serve quality without capsule waste, available in select illy stores and online. A partnership with Migros and Delica extends CoffeeB beyond Germany and France. (Trieste, Italy)

• Fri, 26 Sep – Prima Coffee Equipment launches Second Shot marketplace for used coffee equipment. The platform offers a trusted marketplace for baristas, roasters, café owners, and home brewers to buy and sell quality gear while promoting sustainability by keeping equipment in use and out of landfills. (Louisville, Kentucky, US)

Milestone

• Mon, 22 Sep – Starbucks reaches 1,800 stores in Latin America and the Caribbean. The latest opening at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima extends the brand’s travel-retail presence. It marks an expansion into 26 markets, reinforcing the brand’s regional footprint and airport-led growth strategy. (Lima, Peru)

• Tue, 23 Sep – Equal Origins celebrates ten years with a webinar. On 15 October, Equal Origins will host a webinar marking a decade of work on gender equity in agriculture, sharing key lessons and exploring how empowering women’s participation is crucial for achieving future sustainability goals. (Washington, DC, US)

• Thu, 25 Sep – AeroPress celebrates 20 years with Premium black and white editions. The double-waled glass and metal brewers come with laser-etched branding, and are available in the US and Canada from 28 September. (Palo Alto, California, US)

Trade & production

• Mon, 22 Sep – EUDR shapes Africa’s traceability push. At ACS2 in Addis Ababa, African governments, the private sector, and Team Europe framed the EUDR as a tool to secure markets and improve governance. Uganda geo-mapped 1.5m farmers and Côte d’Ivoire uses payments for ecosystem services. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

• Wed, 24 Sep – Mexico launches wellness coffee programme. The product is sold as instant, labelled 100% Mexican, and sourced from 6,600 smallholders across Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, and Guerrero. The government paid approximately 59.4 million pesos to acquire 913.6 tonnes and stated that 60% of producers are women; however, some Veracruz growers have criticised the quality and pricing. (Mexico City, Mexico)

• Thu, 25 Sep – Expocacer celebrates first shipment of ECO-protocol coffee to UK. The ECO programme is a self-verification system for sustainable ESG practices, recognised by the Global Coffee Platform. After shipping two containers to the UK in 2024, Expocacer has secured four pre-sold containers for 2025, and aims to reach up to six, effectively doubling volumes year-on-year. (Cerrado Mineiro, Brazil)

• Fri, 26 Sep – Kenya seeks US trade deal to boost coffee exports. President William Ruto will press the US to extend AGOA for five years, seeking tariff-free access that could stabilise export routes for Kenyan coffee and tea, curb recent tariff shocks, and attract buyer investment. The outcome remains uncertain amid recent US tariff measures. (Nairobi, Kenya)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 22 Sep – Ethiopian Embassy to host event on International Coffee Day in London. The event, starting at 18:00 local time, will feature a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, engaging discussions on coffee’s cultural and economic significance, and an opportunity to network with fellow coffee enthusiasts and stakeholders in the coffee industry. (London, UK)

• Mon, 22 Sep – Accademia to host Longboard Gesha tasting in Florence. Accademia del Caffè Espresso will present Europe’s only sample box of 12 Longboard Panama Gesha lots, curated with Untold Coffee Lab and BWT, to preview a private auction on 1 October. The event includes a tribute to Justin Boudeman and a Spirit of Longboard toast. (Florence, Italy)

• Mon, 22 Sep – Neuhaus Neotec to showcase NEOROAST 60 at HostMilano. The equipment handles batches between 20 and 60 kg and can process up to 480 kg/h, running on gas, hydrogen, or electricity, with a focus on lower emissions and efficient mid-scale production. (Milan, Italy)

• Tue, 23 Sep – Porto Coffee Week explores culture and innovation. Porto Coffee Week 2025 will take place from 6 to 12 October across the city, featuring a blend of tastings, lectures, art shows, concerts, and business networking events to spotlight Portugal’s growing coffee scene and connect professionals with consumers. (Porto, Portugal)

• Tue, 23 Sep – La Marzocco to revive Out of the Box concept on 18 October. Returning to Milan during HostMilano, the biennial show will host over 90 brand activations; La Marzocco’s theme focuses on experimental roast profiles, live extraction labs, and customer touchpoints designed to spotlight craftsmanship and product education. (Milan, Italy)

• Tue, 23 Sep – The 11th annual Pittsburgh Coffee Week will run from 28 September to 4 October 2025. This year’s theme, “Pittsburgh Pours”, celebrates the city’s unique coffee scene, honouring local coffee brands and the specialty coffee community. A full event schedule has been announced, including a latte art competition hosted by Ghost Coffee Collab, Commonplace Coffee Farmer’s Market and Bloom Battles, KLVN Coffee pour over tasting, and many more activations. (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US)

• Wed, 24 Sep – SCAJ Conference 2025 runs at Tokyo Big Sight until 27 September. The event includes 650 booths, 450 companies, and more than 75,000 visitors, featuring producer delegations, equipment showcases, competitions, seminars, and public cuppings across the four-day schedule. (Tokyo, Japan)

• Wed, 24 Sep – Slow Coffee Festival focuses on mindful brewing. The 2025 edition, running on 4 & 5 October, will highlight sustainable practices and slower brewing methods, combining workshops, panels, tastings, and music to promote a relaxed and mindful coffee experience. (Bucharest, Romania)

• Thu, 25 Sep – Spanish AeroPress Championship to be held in Barcelona on 11 October. The eighth national contest brings 62 finalists from 14 regions together at Manhattan Studio on 11 October. Competitors will brew using coffee from Familia Osorio, Spain’s 2025 Roasters Champion, and the winner advances to the world finals in December. (Barcelona, Spain)

• Thu, 25 Sep – The Barista League heads to Africa in October. The first African edition, scheduled for 18 October in Nairobi, will feature an inclusive team-based barista challenge that combines coffee skills with creativity and fun, aiming to connect local professionals with the global coffee community. (Nairobi, Kenya)

• Fri, 26 Sep – Spotlight on innovation at World Coffee Summit. Scheduled for 6 & 7 November in London, the event will bring together industry leaders to discuss technology, sustainability, and business trends, highlighting solutions that are shaping the next decade of global coffee production and consumption. (London, UK)

• Fri, 26 Sep – Uganda delegation exhibits at SCAJ as the country’s global exports hit over US$2.2bn. Latest figures from the Coffee Development Department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries show that the country exported 7.93 million 60kg bags in the twelve months to August 2025, valued at US$2.24bn – a 58.7% increase in value compared to the previous year. (Kampala, Uganda)

• Fri, 26 Sep – World Coffee Innovation Awards 2025 shortlist announced. Categories include best product, best innovation, and best business. Shortlisted products include Hardtap by Hardtank, Lost Sheep Espresso Coffee Concentrate, and Series 1 Espresso Machine by Fellow. The winners will be announced at Caffe Culture on 30 September 2025. (London, UK)

• Fri, 26 Sep – Iberital to exhibit at HostMilano. The coffee equipment manufacturer and supplier will showcase its products at stand B24 C23 at the event. (Milan, Italy)

Here are a few coffee news stories from previous weeks that you might find interesting. Take a look:

• Mon, 15 Sep – ofi’s climate targets validated by Science Based Target initiative. SBTi validated ofi’s science-based targets, which are aligned with a 1.5°C pathway, including a net-zero target by 2050, a 50% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions, and a 30% reduction in scope 3 and land-use emissions by 2030. The company cites 24 decarbonisation projects, a 7% reduction in processing emissions in 2024, and farmer programmes. (Singapore)

• Wed, 17 Sep – Tariffs push up seasonal latte prices. Import tariffs on green and roasted beans have increased wholesale costs for cafés, leading to higher prices for seasonal lattes. Some shops are passing the costs on to customers, while others are trimming sizes or absorbing the margins, and operators warn that higher bills may persist through autumn. (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, US)

• Thu, 18 Sep – Slate Milk raises US$23mn led by Yasso Founders Fund. The plant-based milk company will use the funding for new facilities, expanded flavour lineups, and enhanced R&D, addressing the growing demand among latte drinkers and specialty coffee retailers. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 19 Sep – Gail’s opens airport outlet at Gatwick. The chain launched its first airport bakery in Gatwick North Terminal, offering fresh breads, pastries, and coffee with a grab-and-go service designed for travellers, expanding the brand’s UK travel-retail footprint. (Gatwick, UK)

• Fri, 19 Sep – Blue Bottle reintroduces studio tasting in Hong Kong. The reservation-only course runs from 1 to 26 October at Blue Bottle Wan Chai, featuring a 90-minute, six-drink tasting with two sweets curated by James Freeman and Benjamin Brewer. This experience highlights the liberica and excelsa species, as well as a house-made instant coffee. (Hong Kong, China)

Photo credits: AeroPress

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Want to keep up with current affairs in the coffee industry? Check out last week’s coffee news stories and make sure to read the latest Coffee Intelligence News & Opinion piece about why US supermarket coffee prices keep increasing.

The post Coffee News Recap, 26 Sep: Dubai café sells record-breaking Gesha for US$680 per cup, European Commission proposes additional one-year delay to EUDR & other stories appeared first on Perfect Daily Grind.