Coffee News Recap, 26 Jun: Heineken hires head of KDP’s Global Coffee Co., Coca-Cola reportedly looking to restructure Costa after failed sale & other stories

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

Editor’s note

Heineken has appointed Rafael Oliveira as its new CEO, breaking with tradition by selecting an outsider to address slumping demand. Oliveira, currently CEO of KDP-owned JDE Peet’s, will take over on 1 October 2026, subject to shareholder approval. He steps into the role as KDP launches its Global Coffee Co., which will be responsible for US$16bn in worldwide sales.

At Costa Coffee, the news is less certain. Coca-Cola has brought in restructuring advisers, AlixPartners and Alvarez & Marsal, following an attempt to sell the chain. The sale collapsed in January after bids failed to reach Costa’s £2bn asking price, roughly half the £3.9bn Coca-Cola paid for the business in 2018.

On the regulatory side, the UK government confirmed plans to introduce its own deforestation regulation. The EU’s legislation, which came into force in 2023, caused significant disruption across the coffee industry, and the UK’s equivalent is expected to do the same.

Taken together, these stories reflect the pressure bearing down on large coffee companies from multiple directions simultaneously: operational underperformance, leadership instability, and tightening supply chain regulation.

Top stories of the week

• Mon, 22 Jun – Proud Mary’s Jak Michael Ryanwins 2026 US Barista Championship. Saint Frank’s Jason Yeo placed second, and Lamppost’s Ziah Bloom placed third. The 2026 World Barista Championship will take place from 23 to 25 October. (Denver, Colorado, US)

• Tue, 23 Jun – Rafael Oliveira departs Keurig Dr Pepper to join Heineken. Oliveira was set to lead Global Coffee Co., the planned US$16bn revenue business combining KDP and JDE Peet’s coffee operations. (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

• Tue, 23 Jun – UK government plans to eliminate illegal deforestation in supply chains, including coffee. The government estimates that the UK’s consumption of goods such as coffee, soy, palm oil, cocoa, and rubber was linked to approximately 29,000 ha of deforestation and 9.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions in 2023. (London, UK)

• Wed, 24 Jun – Brazilian producers hold back record coffee crop, squeezing global supplies. Farmers have sold just 20% of arabica and 14% of robusta for the 2026/27 season, well below historical averages. Prices have fallen 40% since the record highs in 2025, offering little incentive to sell quickly. (São Paulo, Brazil)

• Wed, 24 Jun – Coca-Cola reportedly asks restructuring firms to review Costa Coffee. The beverage giant engaged AlixPartners and Alvarez & Marsal after failing to find a buyer for the coffee chain. It acquired Costa for US$4.9bn in 2019 and abandoned the US$2bn sale in 2025. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

• Wed, 24 Jun – Monogram’s Jill Hoff is the 2026 Canadian Barista Champion. The two-time champion used liberica and the “rediscovered” Chakira variety from Panama. Matthew Song placed second and Lorraine Chan came third. (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)

• Thu, 25 Jun – WoC Brussels hosts 2026 World Brewers Cup, Coffee in Good Spirits, and Roasting Championships. The event also includes the 2026 Best New Product, Coffee Design Awards, Roasters Village, cuppings, and workshops. The first Belgian edition also spotlights Uganda as the Portrait Country. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Thu, 25 Jun – Coffee supports 3.8 million jobs in Europe, according to new European Coffee Federation report. Coffee also generates €84.4bn in direct Gross Value Added (GVA) across the EU27. The continent accounted for 28% of global coffee consumption in 2025, making it the world’s largest market. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Fri, 26 Jun – Third edition of Beantropy will discuss the future of specialty coffee. This year’s theme is “Where Do We Go From Here?”, bringing together international producers, roasters, importers, coffee shop operators, researchers, journalists, and industry leaders to explore the opportunities and challenges facing specialty coffee. (Paris, France)

• Fri, 26 Jun – Coaltown Coffee among 2026 Coffee Design Awards winners. The Welsh roaster won the Branding award, recognising the evolution of its brand identity, developed in partnership with Smörgåsbord and its in-house creative team throughout 2025. Coaltown’s new 200g, 1kg, and 5kg coffee bags are made from GRS-certified post-consumer recycled plastic, while the new 200g coffee box introduces an elevated unboxing experience inspired by South Wales’ industrial heritage. (Ammanford, Wales)

Industry news

• Mon, 22 Jun – Black Rock Coffee Bar faces class action lawsuit over alleged securities fraud. Filed in New York, the suit alleges the company misled investors about growth and new-store cannibalisation. Shares fell 30% on 13 May after Q1 results missed estimates. (New York City, New York, US)

• Mon, 22 Jun – Starbucks Korea closes 2,000 stores early for staff training after “Tank Day” backlash. The controversy, sparked by a promotion evoking the 1980 Gwangju uprising, led to the CEO’s dismissal and a public apology from Shinsegae Group. Staff attended three-hour sessions on historical and social awareness. (Seoul, South Korea)

• Tue, 23 Jun – DOJ probes NY’s Poetica Coffee after banning pro-Israel US Rep. Dan Goldman. The Civil Rights Division opened an investigation into potential religious discrimination. The Williamsburg shop issued a refund and deactivated its Instagram account. (New York City, New York, US)

• Tue, 23 Jun – PJ’s Coffee signs seven‑unit convenience store café partnership in Kentucky. Estepp Energy will introduce the New Orleans brand through full cafés with drive‑thrus, end‑cap locations, and in‑store counters. The chain has about 185 shops across the US. (Lexington, Kentucky, US)

• Wed, 24 Jun – Harlan + Holden raises US$12m for Southeast Asia expansion. The Manila-founded lifestyle brand, which started in clothing before moving into specialty coffee, will use the funds to expand its store network across the region. It already operates in the Philippines and Indonesia. (Manila, Philippines)

• Wed, 24 Jun – Einstein Bros. Bagels to add over 300 new US locations by 2030 with a new store layout. The chain, baking 150m bagels a year, aims to scale its fresh breakfast model as the US$5.8bn bagel category grows 5% annually. CEO Jessica DePetro cited strong consumer momentum. (Denver, Colorado, US)

• Thu, 25 Jun – Rainforest Alliance 2025 report shows regenerative agriculture gains scale. The organisation helped sequester 5.5m tonnes of CO₂, supported 11.9m hectares of ecosystem restoration, and contributed US$2.22bn in additional farm income last year. A new Regenerative Agriculture Standard was also launched. (New York City, New York, US)

• Thu, 25 Jun – Louisa Coffee targets 600 stores in 2026 and expands into Cambodia and the US. The Taiwanese chain plans 10 new outlets in Cambodia and continues its US presence in Los Angeles. Overseas expansion follows a light‑asset model with local partners, holding about 30% equity. (Taipei, Taiwan)

• Fri, 26 Jun – Starbucks to pilot employee-created TikTok content with ad revenue share.Select partners will create videos under the Green Apron Creators programme. The pilot, starting late summer, is the first custom Creator Network in TikTok’s Content Suite. (Seattle, Washington, US)

Businesses for sale

• Tue, 23 Jun – Coffee Fellows returns to founding family ownership. The Tewes family has bought back the 22% stake held by BWK GmbH, effective 1 July 2026. Kolja Mühlberger becomes co-CEO to lead a generational transition, with the group targeting €260m system sales by 2031. (Munich, Germany)

New launch

• Mon, 22 Jun – Joe & The Juice opens first Irish store, expanding European presence to 14 markets. The Copenhagen-based coffee and juice chain now runs over 500 outlets globally, with more than 300 in Europe, following its recent Greek debut. (Dublin, Ireland)

• Mon, 22 Jun – REPA launches planned maintenance kits for coffee machines and grinders. The programme aims to cut reactive repair costs and downtime by offering pre‑assembled kits for steam valves, shower screens, and control panels. Developed with OEMs and roasters, the kits are designed for in‑store repairs. (Cesena, Italy)

• Tue, 23 Jun – Carte Noire unveils new visual identity with Aroma System. The Lavazza-owned company tasked Landor with the rebrand, introducing a new logo, revised visual architecture, and the Aroma System graphic asset to convey its sensory universe. The new look rolls out in summer 2026. (Paris, France)

• Tue, 23 Jun – Marco Beverage Systems launches SYPP customisable drink dispenser. The unit handles hot, cold, ambient, and carbonated drinks, with four- or eight-concentrate connections, central recipe control, and compatibility with any milk type. (Dublin, Ireland)

• Wed, 24 Jun – Clarena’s Coffee launches La Maria micro-lot from third-generation Colombian farm. The hand-picked Castillo coffee underwent a 78-hour dry anaerobic fermentation. Grown at 1,600 metres, it offers tropical fruit, plum, and cocoa notes. The US brand supports women-led and family-owned estates. (Laconia, New Hampshire, US)

• Wed, 24 Jun – Mr Espresso debuts limited Sumatra jasmine co-ferment. Only 120 units of the collaboration with grower Samsul are available. The Sumatra beans underwent extended fermentation with jasmine flowers. (Oakland, California, US)

• Wed, 24 Jun – Body Count launches Body Bag coffee blend with Concept Cafés. The Mexico-Ethiopian blend is roasted by a Latina and comes in a stark black body-bag packaging. The band aims to increase Black and Latino representation in the coffee industry. (Los Angeles, California, US)

• Wed, 24 Jun – Vixxo launches AI‑enabled cafe equipment repair service. The programme covers espresso machines, grinders, and cold brew systems. It is initially available in Dallas, Phoenix, and Denver, backed by a network of over 250 technicians with nearly 20 years of experience with coffee equipment. (Dallas, Texas, US)

• Wed, 24 Jun – Roast + Ground unveils redesigned sustainable coffee range. The specialty arabica line features new, fully recyclable packaging with fewer materials and includes decaf and single-origin options from Ethiopia and Brazil. (London, UK)

• Thu, 25 Jun – Latte Art Factory launches LAF Neo multi‑liquid system. The countertop unit dispenses dairy and plant milks, syrup, and water, with up to five programmable phases per recipe. It has an 18% smaller footprint than the previous model and debuted at WoC Brussels, where it is nominated for 2026 Best New Product. (Milan, Italy)

• Thu, 25 Jun – Flexnet launches all‑in‑one software platform built for coffee roasters. The system covers CRM, sales, production, reporting, and storefront, and integrates with Shopify and QuickBooks. Founder Caleb Sexton developed it from 18 years of experience at Five Senses Coffee in Perth. (Perth, Australia)

• Fri, 26 Jun – Starbucks launches caramelised banana drinks range in the UK. The collection includes iced lattes, oat shaken espresso, and a matcha latte, available first for Rewards members from 25 June and nationwide from 2 July. (London, UK)

• Fri, 26 Jun – Paramount Coffee debuts oat milk‑infused Joe Knows cold brew. The iced coffee line, sweetened with agave, blends arabica and robusta. (Grand Rapids, Michigan, US)

• Fri, 26 Jun – Trung Nguyên Legend breaks ground on coffee factory system in Đắk Lắk. The project, with a total investment of nearly 2.2 trillion VND (about US$86.6m), includes a new energy coffee factory and an expansion. It aims to become Southeast Asia’s largest instant coffee facility and boost Buôn Ma Thuột’s status as a coffee capital. (Buôn Ma Thuột, Vietnam)

Milestone

• Mon, 22 Jun – Expocacer ranks second in the Minas Gerais cooperative agro ranking. The Cerrado Mineiro co-op climbed two positions in the “Surplus Before Allocations” index among 196 agricultural cooperatives. It also rose in total revenue and net equity rankings. The co-op posted R$3bn in 2025 revenue and projects 2.86m bags of arabica for 2026. (Patrocínio, Brazil)

• Tue, 23 Jun – Angelino’s Coffee ads win Bronze A’ Design Award for Yana Grishchuk. The animated social media campaign earned recognition in the Advertising, Marketing and Communication Design category for its engaging, brand‑focused digital approach. (Como, Italy)

• Wed, 24 Jun – Scooter’s Coffee tops Yelp’s fastest-growing brand list for third year. The drive‑thru chain leads a roster of expanding QSR brands, with the top 10 averaging 7.1% unit growth. Scooter’s posted 13% annual US store growth and 50% in Canada. (Omaha, Nebraska, US)

Trade & production

• Tue, 23 Jun – Uganda coffee production steady at 7.16m bags; government signals shift to value-added exports. Robusta accounts for around 6.025m bags, while arabica totals roughly 1.135m. Exports are seen at 6.83m bags, with the EU taking 73%. Authorities plan a gradual move from exporting green beans to roasted and soluble coffee. (Kampala, Uganda)

• Tue, 23 Jun – Ethiopia looks to the African market to bypass coffee trade wars. US tariffs of 10‑46% on coffee exporters and the AfCFTA ratification drive a shift towards continental consumption. Africa accounts for 13% of global supply but has underdeveloped domestic demand, with nations like South Africa, Nigeria, and Uganda now promoting local coffee culture. (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)

• Tue, 23 Jun – Kenya promises farmers will be paid within 5 days. The Direct Settlement System ends months‑long delays. The government allocated US$120m for fertiliser subsidies and US$20m to clear debts and support co‑operatives. (Nairobi, Kenya)

• Wed, 24 Jun – Vietnam coffee production rises for third consecutive year to 32.5m bags in 2026/27, USDA reports. Robusta output climbs 3% to 31.4m bags, while arabica falls to 1.1m. Exports are seen up 1.6% to 28.95m bags. Rising costs and a potential El Niño are the main concerns. (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)

• Wed, 24 Jun – Coffee farmers in Minas Gerais triple their income by roasting and selling directly. Emater-MG’s verticalisation programme helped producer Luiza Lacerda. Her family sells roasted coffee for R$6,000‑10,000 per sack, up from R$3,000‑4,000 for green beans. About 25% of their output is now sold roasted. (Espera Feliz, Brazil)

• Thu, 25 Jun – Nestlé backs regenerative farming industry push to scale adoption. It joins more than 40 businesses supporting the SAI Platform’s Regenerating Together Programme, which offers guidance and verification protocols. The move supports Nestlé’s goal to source 50% of key ingredients from regenerative farms by 2030. (Vevey, Switzerland)

• Fri, 26 Jun – Hawaii’s coffee berry borer-infested areas expand to Lānaʻi and Kauaʻi. Almost every coffee-growing island is now designated infested. Movement restrictions on green beans, bags, and equipment have been lifted for these islands, but permits are still required for plant material. Molokaʻi remains non-infested with stricter rules. (Honolulu, Hawaii, US)

• Fri, 26 Jun – Women-Powered Coffee Coalition launches in Chiapas to support 500 female farmers. Bean Voyage leads the initiative with CQI, Coffee Circle, Kellogg Foundation, and Falcon Specialty. It offers training, funding, and market access. A summit is set for 15-17 October in San Cristóbal de las Casas. (San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico)

Research

• Wed, 24 Jun – Brevel and Coffeesai partner to scale coffee cell culture using illuminated fermentation. The Israel Innovation Authority granted US$1m to expand Brevel’s platform, which uses light to improve yields and compound profiles. The collaboration aims to accelerate the commercial production of coffee cell cultures. (Kiryat Gat, Israel)

• Thu, 25 Jun – Caffeine improves learning and memory via gut‑brain axis, study finds. Researchers discovered that coffee enhances cognitive performance by altering gut bacteria, suggesting a “sweet spot” for optimal intake. (London, UK)

Events & competitions

• Mon, 22 Jun – Nuova Simonelli Technicians Comp expands to Paris after London and Dubai wins. Alex Sacco won in London, and Mohamed Yahya in Dubai. The Paris competition runs 12‑13 September with partners Cafetto, REPA, Jaguar Espresso Systems, BWT, SCA UAE, and Area 51. The competition reflects Nuova Simonelli’s focus on community and technician recognition. (Milan, Italy)

• Tue, 23 Jun – Birdhill Coffee Festival returns for third edition 26-28 June. The event at The Old Barracks Roastery in Tipperary includes a B2B day for aspiring café owners and two B2C days for consumers. Workshops, barista competitions, and tastings are featured. (Birdhill, Ireland)

• Tue, 23 Jun – Coffee De Hmong Bio Farm wins Thailand Cup of Excellence 2026, scoring 90.50 points. The Honey Gesha from Nan topped 30 winning lots. Natee Coffee Estate took second at 89.77, and the Ching family farm third at 89.69. The top 30 lots will be auctioned on 30 July. (Chiang Mai, Thailand)

• Tue, 23 Jun – La Marzocco hosts affogato pop-up with a vintage camper van in Berkeley. The event on 27 June at the company’s HQ offers 1,000 free servings of affogato, pairing local Three Twins ice cream with espresso from the Linea Classic S. (Berkeley, California, US)

• Wed, 24 Jun – Best of Congo Cooperatives returns with 34 traceable micro lots from DRC. The third edition includes lots from North and South Kivu, with a focus on women‑led groups. Results are announced on 2 July, with a live auction following in late August or early September. (London, UK)

• Wed, 24 Jun – The Barista League North America heads to Atlanta on 3 September. In the “creativity-first” event, teams compete for a mystery coffee vacation in live-streamed challenges focused on concept, service, and product. Attendees’ entrance is free. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

• Thu, 25 Jun – MIFB 2026 returns for its 25th edition, co-located with Malaysia Café Expo. The trade show runs from 15‑17 July at the KL Convention Centre, expecting over 13,000 visitors and 520 exhibitors from over 85 countries. The Café Expo hosts the national Barista, Latte Art, Brewers Cup, and Cup Tasters Championships. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

• Fri, 26 Jun – Food & Drinks Malaysia by SIAL 2026 runs from 21‑23 July, themed “Savour Southeast Asia”. The 4th edition expects over 18,000 visitors and 600 exhibitors, and hosts the ASEAN Barista Team Championship, a high‑energy regional team coffee competition. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

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

• Wed, 17 Jun – ECF and ECA publish new jute bag specification for coffee and cocoa supply chains. The joint standard replaces the 1998 IJO98/01 to better control mineral oil contamination and align with EU food safety rules. It sets chemical limits, requires food‑grade production substances, and standardised testing procedures. (Brussels, Belgium)

• Thu, 18 Jun – Biggby Coffee praises its longtime partner, Paramount Coffee, on receiving Notre Dame’s Human Rights and Social Responsibility Award. The 1935-founded roaster is also an SCA Sustainability Award finalist and has supplied Biggby since 1999. Biggby aims for 100% Farm-Direct sourcing by the end of 2028. (East Lansing, Michigan, US)

• Thu, 18 Jun – Jim’s Organic Coffee unveils rebranding for 30th anniversary. The refreshed look features a deep purple landscape and colourful labels. Founder Jim Cannell said it reflects how far the brand has come while staying true to its values. (Wareham, Massachusetts, US)

Photo credits: Beantropy, Coaltown Coffee, Expocacer, Latte Art Factory

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