Coffee News Recap, 18 Oct: First-ever PRF: Farm Summit takes place in Colombia, Vietnam’s 2024/25 production predicted to drop by 10% & other stories

2024.10.20

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

Editor’s note

Coffee prices have remained high yet fairly stable for the past few weeks, and ongoing market updates indicate that this won’t change for some time. As Brazil’s Cecafé reports record green coffee exports for September 2024, industry analysts predict that Vietnam’s 2024/25 production volumes will fall by up to 10%. Shortly after, arabica and robusta prices rose to their highest levels in two weeks. Both countries have huge influence over the global coffee market, so we can expect price volatility to continue.

Against a backdrop of high coffee prices, on Thursday 17 October, the inaugural PRF: Farm Summit began in Santander, Colombia. With a focus on regenerative and organic farming, this new event format empowers producers to control production costs, minimise environmental impact, and connect with traders and roasters to build lasting partnerships.

Even with record market prices, many producers still aren’t turning a profit, especially in the long term. To address these issues directly, Farm Summit will discuss more holistic options for producers to actively assert ownership over their own supply chains, prioritise practical solutions, and retain more value.

Industry news

Mon, 14 Oct – South Korea’s Ediya Coffee unveils actor Byeon Woo-seok as its first brand ambassador. Former model Woo-seok made his acting debut in the South Korean TV in 2016 and rose to global fame with Lovely Runner, which premiered in April 2024. Ediya Coffee, with over 4,000 outlets in South Korea, will feature Woo-seok in menus, in-store displays, and digital marketing, along with a TV commercial set to air in late October 2024. (Seoul, South Korea)

Mon, 14 Oct – Dutch and Belgian Dunkin’s franchise files for bankruptcy. Dunkin’ will continue to operate its 50 stores in the Netherlands, but the future of its 18 Belgian stores is uncertain. The bankruptcy announcement comes after a majority stake was sold to Van der Valk International in 2023. Despite plans for 60 new outlets by 2028, at least 20 stores have closed across both markets.

Tue, 15 Oct – Stellantis Group to produce biochar from coffee husks in Brazil. The initiative is part of the car manufacturer’s decarbonisation plan. Stellantis aims to leverage Minas Gerais state’s significant coffee production to reduce its carbon footprint. (Betim, Brazil)

Tue, 15 Oct – Typhoon-hit Southeast Asia expected to experience heavy rainier until end of 2024. Southeast Asia faces higher-than-normal rainfall in the coming months, potentially worsening disruptions to agriculture (including coffee), tourism, and industry after recent storms. Forecasters attribute the wetter conditions from the Philippines to Vietnam, expected through November, to the developing La Niña phenomenon, which increases rainfall in the region.

Tue, 15 Oct – US Department of Labor sues New York coffee chain over overtime pay. A lawsuit in New York alleges White Noise Coffee’s owners failed to pay overtime, keep accurate records, and post wage rights notices, violating the Fair Labor Standards Act. It names three entities operating as White Noise Coffee. Attempts to contact the company were unsuccessful. (New York City, New York, US)

Wed, 16 Oct – The 2025 Roaster of the Year finalists announced. The winners will be revealed on 21 October. The six finalists for the 21st annual Roaster of the Year awards include:
- Three Keys Coffee, Thread Coffee Roasters, and Dear Green Coffee Roasters in the micro roaster category
- Driftaway Coffee, Wonderstate Coffee, and Utopian Coffee in the macro roaster category

Wed, 16 Oct – Rarebird’s CEO wins US $1 million investment. Jeffrey Dietrich won the investment at the US’ largest cash prize pitch competition, enabling him to scale with 43North, a VC accelerator for underrepresented founders. Rarebird, which sells Px (paraxanthine) coffee, will join 43North’s portfolio of 69 companies. (New York City, New York, US)

Wed, 16 Oct – Shanghai Hi-dolphin COFE+ Robot Café secures 4 rounds of financing in one week. Founded in 2018, the company, led by Dr. Han, has developed the 5th generation COFE+ Coffee Robot, capable of producing 50+ flavours, latte art, and 3D logo printing. It can serve 1,000+ cups daily with minimal maintenance, positioning the company as a leader in robotic coffee innovation. (Shanghai, China)

Wed, 16 Oct – Starbucks acquires its largest UK franchisee, 23.5 Degrees. Starbucks has acquired Southampton-based 23.5 Degrees, adding 113 stores, mostly drive-thru, to its UK portfolio. This acquisition increases Starbucks’ UK company-operated stores to nearly 500, representing around 40% of its total 1,200+ UK locations. The financial terms remain undisclosed. (London, UK)

Wed, 16 Oct – UK-based WatchHouse names Josh Brown as head of coffee. Brown has joined WatchHouse as Head of Coffee, succeeding Ryan Garrick. Previously, he served as Head of Coffee Business Development at Gail’s and held senior roles at Harris + Hoole, Patisserie Valerie, and Bakers + Baristas. Garrick, after six years at WatchHouse, joined CATA Export in July 2024. (London, UK)

Thu, 17 Oct – Cooks Coffee Company appoints Katherine Scott as new CFO. With over 15 years of experience in financial management, she has held senior roles at AHC Limited, Immediate Media, and Chestertons Global. Scott is a CPA with degrees in accounting and science. (Auckland, New Zealand)

Thu, 17 Oct – Ninety Plus Coffee establishes exclusive US distribution partnership with Coffee Support. Known for its revolutionary “natural process”, Ninety Plus has won multiple World Brewers Cup Championships. Coffee Support specialises in sourcing and roasting, and will distribute Ninety Plus’ products in the US market. (Boquete, Panama)

Thu, 17 Oct – Cropster and Verdane partner to boost innovation and growth in the coffee industry. The partnership will focus on expanding Cropster’s global presence and promoting socially fair, economically sustainable, and environmentally responsible practices. Verdane will support Cropster’s growth, targeting opportunities in the expanding specialty coffee market in the US, Europe, and tea-drinking countries in Asia. (Innsbruck, Austria)

Thu, 17 Oct – International Coffee Partners (ICP) Publishes Annual Report 2023. The ICP 2023 report highlights support for 36,306 coffee-farming households, with 80% adopting sustainable practices. Extreme weather in key regions like Brazil and Tanzania affected coffee yields and quality. Women’s participation rose to 42%. (Hamburg, Germany)

Fri, 18 Oct – Origin Coffee announces roastary expansion. The leading B Corp specialty roaster is expanding its Cornwall roastery by 2,000 square feet in October 2024, marking its 20th anniversary. This growth boosts local job creation, with staff numbers rising from 50 to 115, supporting Cornwall’s community and economy. (Porthleven, UK)

Fri, 18 Oct – Imperator Srl unveils iMprint, its new traceability platform. Using blockchain technology, iMprint tracks every stage of coffee production, enhancing transparency for consumers. The lauching event will be moderated by Alfonso Di Leva on October 24, with speakers including Alberto Polojac and Giuseppe Coletti. (Trieste, Italy)

New launch

Mon, 14 Oct – Stepless grinder Olentia launches on Indiegogo. Olentia’s stainless steel burrs and custom BLDC motor operates includes an adjustable RPM from 900 to 1,700. The grinder features anti-static technology and includes over ten different accessories. (New York City, New York, US)

Tue, 15 Oct – Peace Coffee launches organic and Fair Trade premium concentrate for food service and wholesale. Made with Yeti Blend beans, the shelf-stable concentrate targets food service and wholesale customers. With cold brew consumption up 300% post-pandemic, this product enables operators to offer specialised drinks without extra equipment. (Minneapolis, Minnesota, US)

Wed, 16 Oct – Meridia launches verify solution for EUDR risk assessment. Meridia’s new Verify tool, developed over two years, supports EUDR compliance by assessing farm data for deforestation risk, legality, and traceability. It covers cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soy, and rubber, with more commodities to be added. (Amsterdam, the Netherlands)

Thu, 17 Oct – Brazilian brand 3 Corações launches India espresso from the “Regiões do Mundo” line. The new launch highlights the coffee-growing tradition of southern India. Inspired by the legend of Baba Budan, the coffee reflects sustainable practices and is available in a limited edition at retail outlets and the company’s Mercafé online store. (Três Corações, Brazil)

Thu, 17 Oct – Colombian coffee education company Lavaive unveils new book on coffee trading. “La arte de comprar y vender café” is designed for those looking to enhance their knowledge of coffee trading, offering practical strategies and tools to maximize business results. In the book, readers will discover elements and variables to be considered when negotiating coffee to achieve the best outcomes. (Medellín, Colombia)

Fri, 18 Oct – Aarke unveils new integrated coffee system. The Aarke Coffee System features coffee maker, grinder, and thermal jug for premium filter coffee brewing. The grinder calculates the coffee amounts based on water levels, and the coffee maker adjusts the brewing temperature. The thermal jug keeps coffee warm, and each product can also be used independently. (Stockholm, Sweden)

Trade & production

Mon, 14 Oct – Indonesia, Malaysia & EU develop guide for smallholders on deforestation regulations. Set to be released by November, the guide will offer practical advice and support to comply with the EUDR. Earlier this month, the EU proposed to delay the legislation by one year. (Jakarta, Indonesia)

Tue, 15 Oct – B3 begins trading robusta futures contract. The Brazilian Exchange B3 launched the robusta futures contract last month, allowing physical delivery at accredited warehouses. The contract includes 100 bags of 60 kg green beans, traded for specific months and quoted in Brazilian Reais. This enables market participants to mitigate price volatility by locking in future prices. (São Paulo, Brazil)

Wed, 16 Oct – Cerrado native tree planting project on Brazil’s coffee farms reduces CO2 emissions. The “Viveiro de Atitude” programme in Minas Gerais promotes native tree planting on coffee farms to reduce CO2 emissions. It has sold 63,000 seedlings in five years, projected to capture 10,000 tonnes of CO2. The initiative, led by Monteccer, fosters biodiversity and sustainable farming, expanding to 21 municipalities. (Monte Carmelo, Brazil)

Wed, 16 Oct – Coffee futures rise on technical factors and pessimistic estimates for Vietnam’s 2024/25 crop. Coffee futures surged on Monday, 14th October, with Ice Arabica for December rising 4% to 262.05 cents, and London’s January contract up 3.5% to $4,843. The boost was driven by reduced long positions in both markets, as shown by Cot reports, and concerns over a potential 10% drop in Vietnam’s 2024/25 coffee crop due to severe drought earlier this year. (London, UK)

Thu, 17 Oct – Registration opened for the Masterpieces by Daterra auction.This year’s edition highlights Brazilian researchers developing coffee varieties resilient to climate changes. Daterra will donate all proceeds to fund research and scholarships for three of these emerging scientists. Registration is free. A premium subscription is also available for $300, including a sample set of 15 coffees (200g of green coffee each) with free worldwide shipping. (Campinas, Brazil)

Thu, 17 Oct – Long Miles Coffee opens registration for its 3rd annual private auction. This year’s collection includes green coffee samples from 15 of the finest Burundi micro-lots, all processed at one of the company’s three wet mills. Explore the unique offerings and discover what makes this auction particularly special. Bidding starts on November 19th but the 36-hour auction time clock starts on November 20th.

Research

Mon, 14 Oct – Heifer and Fairfood release white paper on commodity living income strategy. The paper introduces a strategy to improve farmer livelihoods by calculating living income prices and enhancing efficiency. The Commodity Living Income Strategy focuses on fair value distribution and data-driven interventions, helping producers address income gaps and develop sustainable, tailored strategies. (Amsterdam, the Netherlands)

Union Coffee brews a V60 at its stand at the London Coffee Festival.

Events

Mon, 14 Oct – Satinaki holds online auction of high-quality Peruvian coffees from Chanchamayo region. Held on 5 October, the auction attracted international buyers, including traders like List & Beisler and German roasters. The event showcased six premium coffee varieties, selected through a rigorous evaluation process by Q graders. (Chanchamayo, Peru)

Tue, 15 Oct – Café Business Expo 2024 takes place in London. The event featured 100 speakers and 200 exhibitors and showcased the latest industry products and innovation. Organised by Fortem Food & Drink Ltd., the expo included networking opportunities, the 2024 Innovation Awards, and free access to six other expos in the UK hospitality sector. (London, UK)

Wed, 16 Oct – World Coffee Innovation Summit held in London. The two-day event, taking place at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, focused on innovation and investment needed to tackle challenges in the coffee sector. Global brands and experts discussed key topics like regenerative agriculture, carbon credits, and digitalising the coffee trade. (London, UK)

Thu, 17 Oct – This year’s International Coffee Convention takes place in Germany. With the motto “Coffee in transition”, the two-day event’s key topics include climate resilience, consumption trends, sustainability, and digitalisation. Organised by Coffee Consulate, the event aims to tackle major challenges in the coffee value chain and offer practical, sustainable solutions. (Mannheim, Germany)

Thu, 17 Oct – Triestespresso Expo 2024 to be held in October 24-26. The 11th edition of the biennial event will focus on trends and challenges in the espresso industry, with B2B meetings, workshops, and a spotlight on the EUDR. Turkey is the guest country, with a workshop on its coffee market on October 25. (Trieste, Italy)

Fri, 18 Oct – Victoria Arduino to showcase its innovations at the FHA-Horeca Singapore. Highlights include the E1 Prima PRO with precision brewing, the eco-friendly Eagle One Special Edition, and the energy-efficient Eagle Tempo. PureBrew+ will also be showcased, offering a premium coffee experience using a patented double-mesh filter for customizable brewing.The Singaporean event will be held on October 22-25. (Camerino, Italy)

Fri, 18 Oct – Brussels Coffee Show 2024 to begin on 19 October. The two-day festival will bring together local and international roasters, producers, traders, baristas, and equipment manufacturers. (Brussels, Belgium)

Fri, 18 Oct – Barcelona Coffee Awards to take place from 19 to 21 October. The event will feature over 30 roasters, cupping sessions, talks, workshops, and 15 award categories. Notable speakers include Kim Ossenblok, Elisabet Sereno, and Dani Sánchez. (Barcelona, Spain)

Fri, 18 Oct – Equal Origins to host EUDR webinar on 22 October. Understanding the links between Gender Equity, Human Rights and Emerging Legislation will focus on how the EUDR is linked to gender equity and how coffee companies can be compliant with new regulatory frameworks. (Washington DC, US)

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

Fri, 11 Oct – Noel Tata appointed as new chairman of Tata Trusts. Succeeding his late half-brother Ratan Tata, Noel will lead the US $165 billion Indian company which manages Tata Group, which has a joint venture with Starbucks in the country. (Mumbai, India)

Photo credits: Producer Roaster Forum