Coffee News Recap, 10 Jan: India’s coffee exports exceed US $1 billion for the first time, Starbucks adds cortado to US menus & other stories. 

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

Editor’s note

For the first time, India’s coffee exports have surpassed US $1 billion. According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the value of the country’s coffee exports increased by 29% between April and November in the 2024 fiscal year.

Driven by surging demand for robusta and the scramble to secure shipments ahead of the EUDR – confirmed to start in December – the rise in exports could solidify India as a prominent global producer of robusta. It’s already the world’s fifth-largest robusta-producing country, but it could climb higher up the ranks as roasters seek out more affordable origins while market prices remain high.

In other news, Starbucks has added the cortado – a small drink that traditionally pairs equal parts espresso and milk – to its US menu. In a market that typically favours large milk-based drinks and filter coffee, this is an unexpected choice for the coffee giant.

The chain’s new menu addition has been met with scrutiny, however. Starbucks says its cortado will only be available in an 8oz size, which is considered small by many of its customers but double the size of most cortados served in specialty coffee shops.

As the company attempts to recover from a significant sales slump, which saw it replace its CEO after less than two years at the helm, adding the cortado to its menu is unlikely to draw in more customers. With prices expected to rise in 2025, coffee drinkers are looking for more value for money – and the cortado is likely to fall short.

A barista serves a cortado at a Starbucks location.

Top stories of the week

  • Mon, 6 Jan –Indian coffee exports exceed US $1 billion for the first time. The country’s coffee revenue reached US $1.28 billion in the eight months ending 30 November 2024, representing a 12% increase on the previous year. Robusta prices surged over 60%, driven by rising global consumption and droughts in Brazil and Vietnam. Turkey, the UAE, Italy, and Russia were key importers. (New Delhi, India)
  • Mon, 6 Jan –Starbucks adds cortado drinks to its US menus. The chain’s 8oz version of the drink – traditionally served as 4oz in most specialty coffee shops – includes three ristretto shots of its Blonde Roast. The Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado is also available, combining brown sugar syrup, cinnamon, and oat milk. (Seattle, Washington, US)
  • Tue, 7 Jan –Nuclear scientists trace coffee origins to support geographical indication. The International Atomic Energy Agency, in partnership with the UN FAO, is using nuclear techniques to improve coffee production, including tracing and authenticating coffee origins and developing disease-resistant varieties. Researchers assessed the ratio of stable isotopes in various elements, such as hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, and the concentration of elements in a sample to provide a unique fingerprint that links a specific coffee to the place where it was grown. (Vienna, Austria)
  • Wed, 8 Jan –The Netherlands’ Kaldi Koffie acquired by two hospitality entrepreneurs. Founder Hans Tietema will step away from the business after 25 years, handing over the reins to Martijn Bas and Guus Groeneveld. The duo, with backgrounds in hospitality and barista training, will focus on expanding Kaldi, which has 25 outlets in the Netherlands and one in Riyadh. (Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
  • Thu, 9 Jan –Bokaldo Group acquires Colombian coffee and cacao farms. The UK group purchased farmland in Colombia’s Nariño and Cauca regions, both offering ideal growing conditions for coffee and cacao. The move follows a strong cacao market performance, with prices up 182% this year, while coffee prices also saw a 70% increase. Bokaldo says the acquisitions will enrich its client portfolios. (London, UK)
  • Fri, 10 Jan –The 2025 Dutch Coffee Championships to be held from 13 to 16 January. The final rounds of the Dutch Barista, Latte Art, and Brewers Cup Championships will take place at the annual Horecava hospitality trade show. The winners will go on to represent the Netherlands at the 2025 World Coffee Championships, taking place in the US, Indonesia, and Switzerland later this year. (Amsterdam, the Netherlands)

Industry news

  • Tue, 7 Jan –Starbucks expands its Community Stores programme across EMEA. The chain aims for 1,000 locations globally by 2030. These stores, tailored to local needs, foster equity and collaboration. The latest store in Ümraniye Yamanevler, Turkey partners with TOG to support youth creativity and community connection. (Seattle, Washington, US)
  • Wed, 8 Jan –Emerging Ukrainian businesses set sights on Western Europe market expansion. As conflict continues in the country, Ukrainian coffee brands are expanding into central Europe. Aroma Kava opened 10 locations in Poland in 2022, while Lviv Croissants operates 12 branches in Poland and recently debuted in Prague. Both target local and diverse customer bases, using Poland as a springboard for EU growth. (Kyiv, Ukraine)
  • Wed, 8 Jan –Panera Brands names Paul Carbone as interim CEO amid leadership changes. The announcement follows the resignation of José Alberto Dueñas. Carbone will lead the group, including Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee, and Einstein Bros. Bagels, while it looks for a new CEO. Panera operates over 4,000 outlets globally across its brands. (Fenton, Missouri, US)
  • Wed, 8 Jan –Drinkit launches its digital coffee experience at Mirdif City Centre. The new store features a refreshed design with spacious seating and digital innovations like smart pick-up counters and ordering kiosks. Known for blending handcrafted beverages with technology, Drinkit continues its expansion across Dubai, aiming for ten stores by mid-2025. (Dubai, UAE)
  • Wed, 8 Jan –Paris Baguette partners with Tottenham Hotspur FC in an official agreement. With this move, Paris Baguette aims to enhance brand recognition and customer engagement globally, including in the UK. The partnership provides access to the team’s resources for marketing activities, including selling Paris Baguette Coffee at the stadium, creating player-driven content, and launching co-branded products. (Seoul, South Korea)
  • Thu, 9 Jan –Canada’s Happy Belly to acquire Smile Tiger Coffee Roasters. The CA $173,000 deal marks the group’s entry into the coffee industry and includes cash and shares, with Smile Tiger’s Kitchener retail location becoming a corporate-owned store. Happy Belly plans to integrate Smile Tiger products across its existing food brands across Canada. (Vancouver BC, Canada)
  • Thu, 9 Jan –Löfbergs renews its coffee partnership with a leading Nordic hotel group. Strawberry and Löfbergs have extended their partnership with a two-year agreement across 240 hotels in the Nordic region. The deal ensures the continued serving of sustainable, organic, and Fairtrade-certified coffee, highlighting benefits for farmers and the environment, such as increased incomes and land conversion to organic production. (Karlstad, Sweden)

New launch

  • Mon, 6 Jan –The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf unveils its new latte line. New drinks include Honey & Nut Latte, Honey & Nut Matcha Latte, and Spanish Latte, all crafted with the brand’s signature five-bean espresso blend. Available hot or iced, the drinks are offered through cafés, the chain’s website and app until 18 March 2025. (Los Angeles, California, US)
  • Mon, 6 Jan –Sweet Coffee Italia unveils the Genma 120IND model. The model features innovations like a high-power inductor with liquid cooling, precision motors, automated radiant tube cleaning, and electromagnetic vibration cooling. These upgrades ensure energy efficiency, high automation, and minimal environmental impact. (Turin, Italy)
  • Wed, 8 Jan –Nescafé adds espresso concentrate to its US portfolio. Made with 100% arabica beans, the new liquid espresso comes in black and sweet vanilla options and dissolves instantly in water or milk. Launching in the US in February, each 300ml bottle makes around 20 servings, catering to café-style coffee lovers at home. (Arlington, Virginia, US)
  • Wed, 8 Jan –Peet’s Coffee launches protein lattes and vitamin-enriched winter drinks. The chain launched its Vitality Menu, which includes protein-packed lattes and drinks fortified with vitamins C and D, designed to boost immunity and energy. Offerings include Vanilla, Golden, and Matcha Lattes, plus Golden Immunity Sparkling Lemonade and Sparkling Citrus Immunity Black Tea. (Berkeley, California, US)
  • Thu, 9 Jan –Minus Coffee debuts beanless instant oat milk latte. The Minus Instant Vanilla Oat Milk Latte is a beanless, plant milk drink featuring 50mg of caffeine, 6g of protein, and L-theanine. Developed with women’s wellness in mind, it uses upcycled ingredients, reducing environmental impact while mimicking traditional coffee’s flavour. (San Francisco, California, US)
A producer plants a coffee seedling on a farm.

Trade & production

  • Mon, 6 Jan –Coffee futures close lower in the first week of 2025. March contracts in New York and London fell 2.5% and 1.7%, respectively, due to better weather in Brazil. Central America and Mexico face a 1% crop reduction, but quality is expected to improve. (New York City, New York, US)
  • Thu, 9 Jan –ICO composite price nears US $3/lb, rising 70% from January to December. Coffee markets faced significant challenges in 2024, with the ICO Composite Indicator Price (I-CIP) reaching 299.61 US cents/lb in December, a nominal high since 1977. Arabica prices surged, with Brazilian naturals up 82.3% annually. Financial pressures, high shipping costs, and geopolitical factors strained supply chains, though global coffee exports rose 2.4% in November. (London, UK)
  • Thu, 9 Jan –Vietnam’s export prices reached US $4.158/tonne in 2024. The country’s coffee industry saw success with US $5.48 billion in exports last year. Despite a slight drop in volume in Q4, export value rose. The average export price surged 59.1% from 2023. Leading exporter Vinh Hiep saw a significant turnover increase, focusing on sustainability and compliance with global standards. (Hanoi, Vietnam)

Research

  • Thu, 9 Jan –Study finds coffee consumption significantly lowers risk of head and neck cancer. A study in Cancer links drinking four or more cups of coffee daily to a 17% lower risk of head and neck cancers, including 30% for oral cavity and 22% for oropharyngeal cancers. Decaf also showed protective effects. With HNC among the top ten global cancers, findings support coffee’s role in disease prevention. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)
Coffee beans being dropped into a cooling tray.

Events

  • Mon, 6 Jan –MIFB 2025 will host the MNCC in partnership with MSCA for the following years. The Malaysian International Food and Beverage Trade Fair has partnered with the Malaysia Specialty Coffee Association to host the 2025-27 Malaysia Coffee Championships. This year’s event will showcase specialty coffee, RTD products, and digital trends, featuring local and international exhibitors at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
  • Tue, 7 Jan –Entries are open for 2025 Great Taste Awards. The 32nd Great Taste accreditation scheme closes on 21 January or when the 14,500-entry limit is reached. Open to food and drink producers, the scheme offers blind tastings by experts and written feedback for all. Winners will be announced in July. (London, UK)
  • Tue, 7 Jan –Oceana Coffee opens invites for its charity event “A Cup of Kindness”. The programme supports local charities with a US $500 donation based on customer votes. This quarter’s charities are Wayside House, Schoolhouse Children’s Museum, and Habitat for Humanity Greater Palm Beach County. Interested in voting can visit Oceana Coffee’s locations or vote online by purchasing charity-specific coffee bags. Winners will be announced on 23 January 2025. (Tequesta, Florida, US)
  • Tue, 7 Jan –The Barista League announces a new selection process. The process now includes a written form and a video submission, both required. Applications are scored based on communication, teamwork, knowledge, values, engagement, diversity, and ambition. Deadlines vary by event region.

Competitions

  • Mon, 6 Jan –Saudi Coffee Company and ACE introduce the Sip of Excellence Competition. The event, which aims to elevate the quality of Saudi coffee, invites farmers from Jazan, Al Bahah, Muhayil Aseer, and Rijal Almaa to showcase their best green coffees. With a prize pool of SAR 240,000 and opportunities for global exposure, the competition offers cash rewards and valuable industry feedback. (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

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

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