Coffee News Recap, 19 Dec: Luckin Coffee reportedly considering Blue Bottle bid, EUDR delayed for another year & other stories

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

Editor’s note

As 2025 draws to a close, arabica prices are falling significantly, reaching their lowest levels since late September. Despite the USDA’s recent prediction of a global coffee deficit in 2025/26, reports of improved weather in Brazil and Vietnam, the world’s top two coffee producers, are offering a more positive outlook for harvest estimates.

However, the recent announcement that the EUDR will be postponed by a year adds uncertainty to the market. This is not the first time that the landmark legislation has been delayed, and it may not be the last. Traders, roasters, and producers are likely to gain greater clarity in April, once the simplification review conclusions are announced.

In other news, Chinese coffee giant Luckin is reportedly considering a bid for Nestlé’s Blue Bottle. It would be a strategic move for Luckin, enabling the value-focused chain to expand into the premium coffee market, especially as it scales in the US and challenges Starbucks’ dominance in North America.

But Blue Bottle’s reputation could be damaged. The pioneering third wave roaster curated its brand identity around craft and slow coffee, while Luckin builds its coffee empire around speed and convenience.

Reports also claim that Luckin and its financial backer, Centurium Capital, are looking to acquire %Arabica’s master franchise in China. The two recently explored another major acquisition, Costa Coffee from Coca-Cola, but interest has reportedly cooled.

Looking ahead, 2026 is likely to be another key year for coffee acquisitions, which will undoubtedly reshape the global market.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 15 Dec – Coca-Cola in talks to salvage Costa Coffee sale. The beverage giant is holding urgent discussions with TDR Capital to prevent the deal from collapsing. Negotiations have stalled over price, with a decision on whether to abandon the sale process entirely expected by the end of December. (New York City, New York, US)

• Mon, 15 Dec – Expocacer sets record for the highest price paid at a Brazilian auction, at US$38,500 per bag. The winning lot, which placed first in the Pulped Cherry category, was produced by Eduardo Pinheiro Campos from Fazenda Dona Nenem in Presidente Olegário and was acquired by a strategic consortium led by Expocacer, together with Veloso Green Coffee, Marex, and Nucoffee. (Patrocínio, Brazil)

• Tue, 16 Dec – ICO reports record 1.18 million tonnes in African coffee exports in 2024/25. Africa’s coffee shipments broke past 1 million tonnes for the first time, led by Ethiopia’s exports up by 27.3% to 442,200 tonnes and Uganda’s up by 29.6% to 495,600 tonnes, accounting for nearly 80% of the continental total. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

• Wed, 17 Dec – Luckin Coffee reportedly interested in buying Nestlé’s Blue Bottle. Sources report the Chinese giant is considering acquiring the US specialty coffee roaster to boost its premium profile. Luckin and its backer Centurium Capital are also reportedly evaluating a bid for %Arabica’s master franchise in China. (Beijing, China)

• Wed, 17 Dec – EUDR delayed for another year with further simplifications. The revision streamlines due diligence requirements and postpones the regulation’s application for medium and large operators until 30 December 2026, with an additional six months for micro and small operators. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Thu, 18 Dec – US tariffs cost Brazilian exporters US$240mn. A survey in Coffidential reveals that the 40% import surcharge slashed export revenue between August and October compared to 2024. Coffee was notably affected, swinging from growth to a 16.7% decline following the levy’s implementation. (Brasília, Brazil)

• Thu, 18 Dec –Arabica prices drop to lowest levels since late September 2025. Improved global supply outlooks from Brazil and Vietnam lowered both arabica and robusta prices, as Conab raised Brazil’s 2025 production estimate to 56.54 million bags, up 2.4%. Vietnam’s November exports surged 39% year-over-year to 88,000 tonnes. (London, UK)

• Fri, 19 Dec– More Brits now drink decaf coffee. Research by Nespresso Professional reveals a 26% rise in consumption, driven by health and wellness. Data also show that 41% of consumers are willing to pay more for premium quality, while 44% prioritise flavour over other factors. (London, UK)

Industry news

• Mon, 15 Dec – Pret A Manger names Ross Warnes as UK & Ireland President. The chain has appointed the former Kraft Heinz executive to lead its largest market, effective January 2026. Warnes is tasked with growing market share and increasing transactions across Pret’s 500-plus UK and Ireland shops. (London, UK)

• Mon, 15 Dec – Caffè Nero’s founder warns of rising coffee prices. Gerry Ford has signalled that menu prices may increase as the chain battles soaring costs. He cited higher National Insurance contributions, climate change impacting coffee yields, and expensive raw materials as key factors driving inevitable hikes. (London, UK)

• Mon, 15 Dec – CoffeeBot Malaysia gamifies vending machines. CoffeeBot partnered with OneOne/ONEVERSE to add digital rewards, gaming perks, and lifestyle benefits to 30 machines placed at MRT stations and university campuses, aiming to boost user engagement and repeat purchases. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

• Tue, 16 Dec – Hometown Hainan Coffee unveils US$12.1mn expansion drive. The Selangor chain plans to open 20 new stores over five years, aiming to nearly double its current footprint. (Selangor, Malaysia)

• Tue, 16 Dec – Brazilian startup Bricoffee turns coffee grounds into clean energy. The company transforms waste into high-calorie biomass pellets for industrial heating. The innovation replaces traditional firewood and fossil fuels while generating carbon credits. (Varginha, Brazil)

• Tue, 16 Dec – Home espresso boom driven by affordable machines and work-from-home routines. Rising home espresso use reflects more cost-effective, compact machines, improved grinders, and capsule options, as well as remote work and social media coffee culture. Consumers choose convenience, cost savings, and greater control over quality, reducing daily café visits. (New York City, New York, US)

• Wed, 17 Dec – Lufthansa adds barista service to its revamped Stuttgart lounge. The newly renovated Senator Lounge now features a dedicated coffee bar. Baristas prepare drinks using beans supplied by a local roaster, reinforcing the hub’s connection to the region. (Stuttgart, Germany)

• Wed, 17 Dec – La Marzocco renews support for Hands for Songwa Foundation. The company will boost visibility and fundraising for the now-independent Hands for Songwa Foundation, fund community projects, including a new school in Ihombe, run employee trips and awareness activities, and share progress via a revamped website. (Florence, Italy)

• Wed, 17 Dec – De’Longhi included in Stoxx Europe 600 index. Inclusion in the Stoxx Europe 600 will raise De’Longhi’s market visibility and likely attract passive index funds, improving share liquidity and investor access. (Treviso, Italy)

• Thu, 18 Dec – Fair Trade movement backs EU group certification amendments. The Fair Trade movement welcomed European Commission proposals to allow group certification under the EU organic regulation, saying the change should reduce compliance costs and widen market access for smallholders, while urging clear implementation guidance and safeguards. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Thu, 18 Dec – Brazilian coffee gains popularity among young Chinese consumers, boosting exports. Chinese consumers, especially young people, are adopting coffee as a daily habit, and as café culture grows, Brazilian green bean shipments are increasing sharply, prompting promotion campaigns and major deals with Chinese chains such as Luckin Coffee. (Beijing, China)

• Fri, 19 Dec – 7 Brew appoints Matthew Dunnigan as CFO to support growth. Dunnigan joins the cold brew coffee chain to strengthen financial planning, capital strategy and scalable expansion as the company targets new markets and operational efficiency. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 19 Dec – China’s Anno Robotics leads smart retail with AI coffee and ice cream robots. CCTV coverage of the CMG Greater Bay Area Robot Interactive Exhibition highlighted Anno’s AI coffee machines and ice cream robots, showcasing precision in latte art and automated beverage service, reflecting a trend towards efficient unmanned operations. (Shenzhen, China)

• Fri, 19 Dec – Chinese tea brands target US beverage market, eyeing coffee drinkers. Entrepreneurs, including Ningji Lemon Tea co-founder Amanda Wang, launched Bobobaba with sweeter, fruit-forward drinks to attract young American coffee and matcha consumers. Mixue and Chagee are among others expanding or planning US outlets amid broader global growth. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 19 Dec – Costa Coffee India looking for third CEO in less than three years. Following the resignation of Kamaljit Singh Bedi, Indian franchise group Devyani International Limited is seeking a new CEO for its licensed Costa Coffee business. This high frequency of leadership changes has raised concerns around strategic continuity and long-term growth planning. (New Delhi, India)

Businesses for sale

• Mon, 15 Dec– Hermetheus Coffee acquires roaster maker Coffee Crafters. Jason Scott leads the new entity as its founder, Ken Lathrop, retires. The deal integrates Co-Pilot automation with the manufacturer and includes plans for new sample and production roasters. (Olathe, Kansas, US)

New launch

• Mon, 15 Dec – Grind opens its first travel café at Waterloo Station. Located on the mezzanine, the new venue serves coffee and cocktails to commuters. It marks the brand’s first standalone station site, opened in partnership with One Retail. (London, UK)

• Mon, 15 Dec – Lavazza opens state-of-the-art training centre in Dallas. The Italian coffee giant has unveiled a new facility in Texas to support its North American expansion. The centre will offer comprehensive coffee education and technical training to partners, aiming to elevate service standards and brand expertise across the region. (Dallas, Texas, US)

• Tue, 16 Dec – illy launches first coffee sourced from regenerative agriculture. The Italian roaster introduces the Arabica Selection Brazil Cerrado Mineiro, its first product certified by Regenagri. The coffee focuses on regenerating soil and biodiversity. (Trieste, Italy)

• Tue, 16 Dec – Coffee Fellows opens a branch at Cologne Bonn Airport. Located in Terminal 1 public area, the outlet complements Coffee Fellows’ network across city centres, stations, and other airports. (Cologne, Germany)

• Tue, 16 Dec – Indian specialty brand Subko opens in Dubai. The Mumbai roastery and craft bakehouse has launched its first international outpost in Alserkal Avenue. The venue combines on-site roasting, baking, and chocolate-making, highlighting Indian single origin coffee and cacao. (Dubai, UAE)

• Tue, 16 Dec – Brazil’s The Coffee opens first UK store in Liverpool. The Brazilian specialty chain opened its first UK outlet, offering espresso and filter coffee, retail bags of single origin Brazilian beans, and digital ordering, signalling a planned national expansion. (Liverpool, UK)

• Wed, 17 Dec – Maasai Café opens specialty outlet in Cairo. Maasai Café opened its first Egyptian shop, offering espresso and filter alongside light food options, highlighting East African origins and barista-led service to attract local customers and tourists. (Cairo, Egypt)

• Thu, 18 Dec – La La Land Kind Café unveils Reserve premium concept. Equipped with Eversys, Poursteady, and Six Simple machines, the Beverly Hills store offers specialty coffee and matcha to deliver premium, tech-led service. (Beverly Hills, California, US)

• Thu, 18 Dec – Fuglen opens first Kyoto coffee bar. The Oslo roaster opens its third location in Japan in the Shichiku neighbourhood. Occupying a former confectionery shop, the intimate stand features signature Norwegian mid-century design. (Kyoto, Japan)

• Thu, 18 Dec – Vision Espresso launches grinder and PUQpress auto-tamper bundles. Turnkey packages pair the grinder and auto-tamper to reduce startup costs, standardise tamping, and streamline service. (Seattle, Washington, US)

• Fri, 19 Dec – Nuova Simonelli expands Appia line with Viva machines and grinders. New Appia Viva machines link via C-Automation to the Viva Grinder for shot-flow-based self-adjustment. XT adds a touchscreen, Soft Infusion System, and E-Milk support. The line claims 7% energy savings versus Appia Life. (Belforte del Chienti, Italy)

• Fri, 19 Dec – Nespresso opens flagship boutique in the New York Flatiron district. The new 13,900 sq ft flagship features a hidden coffee bar with seasonal recipes, a Nespresso Lounge with self-service machines, a Coffee Theatre for masterclasses and a full range of machines, coffees, and accessories to immerse visitors in brand experiences. (New York City, New York, US)

• Fri, 19 Dec – Pomelo Coffee Consulting’s Luke Waite publishes The Owner’s Manual: A Guide To Sustaining A Coffee Roaster. The book lays out Pomelo’s Core 7 framework, a set of clear, actionable steps Waite has developed over years of consulting with roasters across the US. The book blends stories of success and failures, balanced with strategic insights and practical steps to strengthen the seven core areas that most significantly impact the health and sustainability of coffee roasters. (Raleigh, North Carolina, US)

Milestone

• Mon, 15 Dec – Third Wave Coffee reaches 200-store milestone in Mumbai. The Indian specialty chain continues its expansion with a new site in Chembur. CEO Rajat Luthra announced plans to add another 100 outlets in 2026, backed by a roastery scalable to 700 locations. (Mumbai, India)

• Tue, 16 Dec – Ukraine’s Lviv Croissants enters the third international market of 2025. The bakery chain has launched its first Nordic outlet in Oslo, Norway. This follows earlier debuts in France and South Korea, continuing the brand’s rapid global expansion. (Oslo, Norway)

• Tue, 16 Dec – Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation to award over US$10mn in grants. The foundation plans to fund 500+ US nonprofits by year-end to support children facing hunger and illness. The initiative includes signature programmes such as Dogs for Joy and is fuelled by franchisee-led initiatives. (Canton, Massachusetts, US)

• Thu, 18 Dec – 5 to Go surpasses 700-store milestone and eyes expansion to Ireland. The Romanian chain recorded 21.7 million visits and sold 6.9 million lattes in 2025, generating €55m in turnover. With 720 sites now active, it aims to reach 800 locations by 2026, including a Q1 debut in Dublin. (Bucharest, Romania)

• Fri, 19 Dec – Cartel Roasting Co. raises over US$400,000 in equity round. Arriving in Beverly Grove this January, the Arizona brand is using a StartEngine campaign to fund growth. 300 investors have backed the move to maintain independence from big banks. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Fri, 19 Dec – The UK becomes Joe & the Juice’s largest market, overtaking Denmark. The chain opened four new stores across November and December 2025. The number of new UK openings now totals 16, forming part of the brand’s strategy to expand to more than 1,000 branches globally in the next five years. (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Trade & production

• Wed, 17 Dec– Jamaica coffee output falls despite stronger global demand. Local production continues to decline due to ageing farms, labour shortages, and climate pressures, even as international demand and prices rise. Industry stakeholders warn that supply constraints risk limiting export potential and farmer incomes, prompting calls for more government support. (Kingston, Jamaica)

• Thu, 18 Dec– Global green coffee exports reach 15.2 million bags by early December. Shipments totalled 15.2 million 60kg bags at the start of December, reflecting steady exporter activity despite logistics constraints and uneven harvest timing. Volumes will shape short-term supply expectations ahead of year-end trading. (London, UK)

• Fri, 19 Dec – Uganda’s export earnings nearly double in October on coffee and gold sales. Data from the Bank of Uganda show that total export receipts almost doubled year-on-year in October, driven by strong prices and volumes for coffee and gold. Coffee alone accounted for a significant share of the increase in foreign exchange inflows. (Kampala, Uganda)

Research

• Mon, 15 Dec – Gen Z habits force coffee brands to adapt to a new market split. A new report highlights how Gen Z is redefining coffee culture, favouring cold, customised, and functional drinks over traditional hot brews. This “Great Coffee Split” is forcing brands to rethink their strategies, balancing heritage products with demand for creative, sweet, and iced beverages. (London, UK)

• Tue, 16 Dec – Coffee consumption linked to mood biomarkers. Griffith University researchers found that drinking coffee alters biological markers in blood and saliva associated with mental health. The study showed reduced stress hormones and changes in compounds linked to anxiety and depression in healthy adults. (Gold Coast, Australia)

• Wed, 17 Dec– High coffee intake linked to lower bone density in older women. Research suggests that excessive coffee consumption may be associated with reduced bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, particularly among those with low calcium intake. The authors emphasise moderation and adequate calcium intake rather than avoidance. (London, UK)

• Thu, 18 Dec – Coffee waste filters heavy metals from water, study shows. Researchers found that spent coffee grounds and biochar remove lead, copper, and zinc; optimised biochar removed up to 98% of lead (4.9 mg Pb/g). (Loughborough, UK)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 15 Dec –Participants commend Bahrain Coffee Festival for its support of small and medium-sized enterprises. Attendees at the first Bahrain Coffee Festival praised the event for also providing a high-quality platform to promote the country’s coffee culture. The festival facilitated networking between local, regional, and international brands, creating opportunities for exposure and business growth. (Manama, Bahrain)

• Tue, 16 Dec – SIGEP World 2026 to feature 1,300 brands and three foodservice innovation hubs. Exhibitors will showcase new coffee equipment, roasting technology, and out-of-home solutions across dedicated foodservice hubs, targeting cafés, gelateries, and HoReCa operators seeking product, packaging, and service innovations. (Rimini, Italy)

• Wed, 17 Dec – Helsinki defines 2026 culture through compact café density. The capital’s hospitality scene capitalises on its size, packing nearly 100 venues, including cafés, into a 4km radius. This proximity fosters a unique ecosystem in which the community serves as infrastructure, prioritising collaboration over competition. (Helsinki, Finland)

• Thu, 18 Dec – Bluewater’s Café Station 1 wins 2025 GOOD DESIGN Award. The Swedish brand secured its second consecutive win with its precision mineralisation system. It allows baristas to tailor water profiles for specific coffee while preventing scale build-up, merging sustainability with high-performance design. (Stockholm, Sweden)

• Fri, 19 Dec – Rules announced for 2026 World Coffee in Good Spirits and World Coffee Roasting Championships. The 2026 WCIGS Rules clarify on-stage conduct terms, redefine ingredients to include ice, and adapt scoresheets to support clearer judging flow. The 2026 WCRC Rules adjust coffee submissions and green coffee quantities to better align with production roaster capacities and to expand the range of eligible roasting machine sizes. (Irvine, California, US)

• Fri, 19 Dec – The fourth edition of CoffeeFest Madrid will run from 14 to 16 February 2026 at the IFEMA exhibition centre.The event is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors and 240 exhibitors. Next year’s edition will feature a Roasters Village, several competitions, the Tea Fest, the Cacao Fest, a green coffee auction, the Top 100 Best Coffee Shops awards ceremony, and the second Coffee Summit. (Madrid, Spain)

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

• Mon, 8 Dec – Study finds causal link between filter coffee and lower HbA1c. Analysis of UK Biobank data by Peking University reveals that filter coffee promotes Veillonella gut bacteria, offering specific protection against type 2 diabetes that is absent in other brewing methods. (Beijing, China)

• Wed, 10 Dec – Inspire Brands taps former Dunkin’ exec to lead US development. The restaurant group appointed John Dawson, a former executive at Dunkin’ Brands and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, as President of US Development. Dawson will oversee real estate and construction, reporting to Chief Brand Officer Scott Murphy, who leads the coffee giant’s strategy. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

• Wed, 10 Dec – ofi secures US$1.12bn sustainability-linked loan. Olam Food Ingredients has agreed to a dual-currency revolving credit facility to refinance debt and fund general operations. The multi-tranche deal reinforces the global supplier’s commitment to integrating sustainability metrics into its capital structure. (Singapore)

• Thu, 11 Dec – Yum China expands share repurchase programme by US$1bn. The operator of KFC and Pizza Hut in China announced its Board has authorised an additional $1 billion for its share buyback scheme, bringing the total authorisation to $5.4 billion. This expansion reflects the company’s confidence in its long-term growth and ability to generate strong cash flow. (Shanghai, China)

Photo credits: Rebecca Hope, CoffeeFest Madrid

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