Coffee News Recap, 31 Oct: Senate votes against Trump’s global tariffs, US retail coffee prices increase by 41% in 12 months & other stories

Every Friday, Perfect Daily Grind rounds up the top coffee industry news from the week. 

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:enDrop 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.

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