Coffee News Recap, 3 Oct: Brazilian coffee consumption decreases as domestic prices rise, new record price of US$1,878/kg for Yemeni coffee & other stories

2025.10.05

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

Editor’s note

A recent study of 4,000 people found that coffee consumption in Brazil is on the decline.

Following an increase in retail prices, 24% of respondents reported reducing their coffee intake. In early March 2025, shortly after two quick consecutive hikes, major Brazilian roaster 3 Coracoes raised its prices by over 14%. According to ABIC, Brazilian supermarket coffee prices have already increased by 40% this year, with further increases anticipated.

While domestic consumption is expected to see a slight recovery driven by population growth in the coming months, high retail prices are likely to limit per capita demand.

On the trade and production side, Cecafé reported a further 20% drop in Brazilian exports to the US in September, following a steep 46% decline in August. The association warns that exports could decline further if US tariffs stay in place.

There’s still no confirmation of whether Congress will pass the proposed bill to exempt coffee from import levies. Future trade negotiations will also need to adhere to one of President Trump’s latest executive orders, which updated tariff rules to potentially exempt products not grown in the US in sufficient quantities.

Global trade dynamics continue to shift, becoming more fragmented and redirecting exports to different markets in the long term. For now, coffee retail prices are likely to keep rising.

A person holds Brazilian green coffee beans.

Industry news

Mon, 29 Sep – Repa expands Hemro parts distribution worldwide. Original spare parts for Mahlkönig, Ditting, Anfim, and HeyCafé are now sold through REPA’s platform globally (excluding Japan and the UK), with no minimum order requirements, automated fulfilment centres, and AI tools to reduce lead times and minimise downtime for roasters and service centres. (Cesena, Italy)

Mon, 29 Sep – UNDP and Lavazza’s deforestation-free coffee shortlisted for GAEA Awards. The joint programme, which supports deforestation-free cultivation through producer capacity development, monitoring, carbon accounting, and market incentives, is among eight finalists globally. Winners will be announced at the climate innovation forum in October. (Milan, Italy)

Mon, 29 Sep – Zus Coffee targets expansion in Pakistan and Morocco. Co-founder Venon Tian said the chain will open in Pakistan via a local master franchise and expects a Moroccan debut in early 2026, while targeting 850 stores in Malaysia, 20 in Thailand, 190–200 in the Philippines, a first Indonesian outlet in Q1, and over 1,000 sites overall. (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Mon, 29 Sep – Starbucks CTO resigns amid tech shake-up. Deb Hall Lefevre departed without a permanent replacement, and Ningyu Chen was named interim CTO. The change accompanies recent corporate cuts and a tech overhaul that includes order-sequencing algorithms, a mobile-order revamp, an AI assistant for staff, and AI inventory tools, with growing use of an India-based contractor. (Seattle, Washington, US)

Tue, 30 Sep – Pret appoints Matthew Bresnahan as new CMO. Bresnahan moves from Restaurant Brands International and will oversee Pret’s global and local marketing, product innovation, loyalty, customer insights, PR, and delivery strategy as the chain expands further into coffee and food. (London, UK)

Tue, 30 Sep – Cooks Coffee Company sales rise nearly 27%. Cooks reported a 26.9% increase in system-wide store sales over 26 weeks, with same-store growth of 3.5% in the UK and 6.4% in Ireland. During the period, it added eleven stores in the UK and two in Ireland, reaching a total of 77 outlets in the UK and 20 outlets in Ireland, respectively. (London, UK)

Tue, 30 Sep – Lavazza pilot spotlights Stravito AI Personas launch. The tool converts segmentation research into interactive consumer profiles, allowing teams to test messaging, packaging, and product concepts in real-time. The project helps reduce weeks of validation time to hours and provide traceable, market-specific feedback. (Stockholm, Sweden)

Wed, 1 Oct – Maxwell House temporarily rebrands as Maxwell Apartment. The limited-edition marketing stunt is to reflect the rising costs and coffee and housing in the US. (Chicago, Illinois, US)

Thu, 2 Oct – Project Café USA 2026 finds growth slowed in US branded coffee market. The report found that US branded coffee market, worth around US$58.5bn, grew over 6% over the last 12 months to exceed 45,200 outlets. Most chains achieved year-on-year sales growth during the same period, but tariffs and rising costs are creating a challenging landscape for operators. (London, UK)

Fri, 3 Oct – Regenerative coffee sales surge in the UK. In the £4.8 billion retail coffee market, regenerative labels now represent nearly 8% of sales value. The shift responds to consumer demand amid climate risks, with industry players stating that soil health, biodiversity, and supply resilience are driving adoption across roasters and retailers. (London, UK)

Fri, 3 Oct – Mega Coffee parent fined over unfair franchise practices. Korea’s Fair Trade Commission imposed a ₩2.29 billion penalty on Mega Coffee’s parent for forcing franchisees to absorb gift card fees, mandating equipment purchases, and charging hidden marketing costs. The chain says reforms are already underway. (Seoul, South Korea)

Joe & the Juice coffee cups stacked on top of an espresso machine.

New launch

Mon, 29 Sep – Joe & The Juice opens first North Africa store in Rabat. The outlet marks the chain’s 100th franchised site, expanding its MENA footprint to seven markets and signalling a franchising-led growth strategy, alongside local retail partnerships at Le Marché Dar Essalam. (Rabat, Morocco)

Mon, 29 Sep – Smeg launches ECF03 espresso machine with rapid cold-brew mode.The retro-styled ECF03 features a 58mm portafilter, pressure gauge, professional steam wand, adjustable brew temperatures, a compact footprint, and multiple colourways. Cold extraction bypasses the thermoblock to deliver cold coffee. (London, UK)

Tue, 30 Sep – Volcanica launches barista milk subscription box. Each monthly box pairs single origin Volcanica beans with a 32oz Minor Figures barista oat milk. Choices include grind, roast, and ethical certifications, with purchases funding clean-water projects in producing regions. (Atlanta, Georgia, US)

Tue, 30 Sep – Gregorys and Nuzest launch plant-based protein coffee. Blending Nuzest plant protein with Gregorys espresso, the drink will be rolled out in select Gregorys stores in New York, accompanied by sampling promotions. (New York City, New York, US)

Tue, 30 Sep – Dutch Bros and Lonely Ghost launch custom beverage collab. The limited-edition “Express Yourself” menu enables customers to personalise drinks with colours, designs, and flavour combinations, featuring digital overlays and AR visuals to share on social media. Participating stores may also host interactive self-expression walls and themed playlists. (Grants Pass, Oregon, US)

Tue, 30 Sep – Cuisinart debuts pod-free custom grind-and-brew machine. The new single-cup maker combines a burr grinder, brew chamber, and stainless steel cup in one. Users can customise grind size, brew time, and temperature, with anti-clogging technology and internal cleaning cycles. (Norwalk, Connecticut, US)

Wed, 1 Oct – MiiR updates New Standard coffee collection. Highlights include a redesigned hand grinder for consistent coarse-to-espresso particle sizes, an Airlock canister with a one-press inner seal, a taller-walled Pourigami pour-over, and an updated leakproof 360 lid that signals closure. A limited Party Collection marks the brand’s 15th anniversary. (Seattle, Washington, US)

Wed, 1 Oct – Nucleus Coffee Tools launches Bloom brew bed preparation tool. The new brew-bed tool, designed with retractable needle configurations and a FlowTip system, aims to enhance flavour clarity and consistency while reducing channelling. The global launch is set for December 2025. (Canberra, Australia)

Thu, 2 Oct – Fellow unveils Pirch espresso glassware collection. The brand says the thermally tuned walls preserve temperature, a thin rim improves sip experience, interior curves aid latte art pouring, and calibrated weight enhances hand feel. The cup is available in four sizes and four colourways. (Seattle, Washington, US)

Fri, 3 Oct – Vivreau launches PURITY HCHF hot and cold filters. The company says its high-flow cartridges help enhance water quality for busy cafés, protect machines from scale, and improve the flavour of cold brew and hot beverages. The filter are NSF certified and US-made. (Vancouver BC, Canada)

Fri, 3 Oct – Dimitra and NACCU launch EUDR compliance system for Kenyan coffee. The platform will register farms, map plots with GPS, conduct deforestation risk surveys, and generate EUDR-aligned compliance and carbon reports via offline mobile apps in English and Swahili, aiming to bring NACCU’s 1 million+ farmers in Meru, Nyeri, Kiambu, Kipkelion, and Mt. Elgon into export markets. (Nairobi, Kenya)

Fri, 3 Oct – illy launches the “Why We Make It” campaign with a Milan pop-up venue. A new film and immersive installation showcase the brand’s origin relationships and sustainability commitments, pairing sensory displays and guided tastings to translate production stories into consumer experiences. (Milan, Italy)

Fri, 3 Oct – Portbrew nears the launch of its all-in-one coffeemaker. The compact modular device unites a grinder and precision brewing tools for small kitchens, prioritising consistent extraction, easy storage, and simple adjustments. It’s aimed at home baristas seeking café-style drinks. (Portland, Oregon, US)

Milestone

Mon, 29 Sep – Yum China recognised in Fortune’s 2025 “Change the World” for KFC food bank. The KFC Food Bank, launched in 2020 in Shenzhen, operates over 1,000 stations across 180 cities, redistributing surplus, in-date food to local communities and aiming for a 10% reduction in food waste per restaurant by 2030. (Shanghai, China)

Trade & production

Mon, 29 Sep – Colombia’s premium coffee reportedly under pressure from cheaper Brazilian beans. Tariff-driven trade shifts and ample Brazilian supply have narrowed premiums for Colombian arabica, squeezing exporter margins and prompting roasters to rebalance their blends, while raising pressure on specialty producers to prove the quality of their origins and retain buyers, according to the FNC. (Bogotá, Colombia)

Mon, 29 Sep – HomeState Coffee Factory seen as a turning point for PNG’s coffee sector. A community-operated facility aims to enhance on-farm quality, minimise post-harvest losses, and increase incomes by facilitating the local processing of coffee. Advocates say it may help shift PNG’s industry from bulk bean supply to higher-value, specialty markets. (Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea)

Thu, 2 Oct – Brazil’s Jacu bird coffee dodges US tariffs as specialty exports plunge. US 50% tariffs in August hit Brazil’s specialty exports hard, with shipments to the US down nearly 70% month-on-month. Producers report that roaster demand is shifting to Japan, the UK, and domestic buyers, and some premium lots, such as Jacu bird coffee, command up to US$1,300/kg. (Domingos Martins, Brazil)

Thu, 2 Oct – Coffee futures recover as StoneX forecasts balanced 2025–26 market. ICE arabica rose 0.7% to US 374.85 cents/lb, and London robusta gained 0.3% to US$4,200/tonne as typhoon concerns in Vietnam tightened nearby supply. StoneX says global stocks fell 22 million 60kg bags in four years and expects a slight 400,000-bag surplus for 2025-26. (London, UK)

Fri, 3 Oct – Brazil poised to lead global robusta expansion. Rabobank projects Brazil’s robusta output at 24.7 million 60kg bags in 2025. High yields (approximately 170% above arabica) and irrigation (approximately 71% of robusta area) offset setup costs of US$15,700/ha, with payback near four years, and large degraded pastures enabling deforestation-free expansion. (São Paulo, Brazil)

A barista pours filter coffee into a cup from a glass V60 carafe.

Research

Mon, 29 Sep – New review explores the impact of coffee on mood and sleep. Researchers looked at over 54 studies on how caffeine, polyphenols, and other natural compounds affect depression, anxiety, and sleep. They found that moderate caffeine consumption might lower the risk of depression. However, too much caffeine can make anxiety worse or disrupt sleep, depending on the amount consumed and how sensitive a person is to it. (Boston, Massachusetts, US)

Tue, 30 Sep – Nespresso links coffee intake to improved mental wellbeing. The brand’s new survey shows that over 90% of Americans view their morning coffee as central to mental health and mindfulness. (Vevey, Switzerland)

Tue, 30 Sep – Study finds daily coffee and tea drinking could boost longevity.Research with older adults found that those who consumed coffee or green tea had a lower risk of death and of developing functional disability over time. The effects appear stronger with moderate consumption and consistent habits. (Boston, Massachusetts, US)

Wed, 1 Oct – EU funds research to protect coffee and cacao from climate threats. The Horizon-EU project, Brewing Resilience, addresses climate-related risks, including drought and biodiversity loss. It aims to develop tools for adaptation, including alternative crop varieties and sustainable farming practices, to protect the supply chains for cacao and coffee. (Brussels, Belgium)

Events & competitions

Mon, 29 Sep – Slow Coffee Festival 2025 to take place on 4 & 5 October in Bucharest. This year’s festival is set to be the biggest one yet, with over 100 exhibitors confirmed, more than 50,000 visitors expected, and a space ten times larger than previous editions. The event celebrates local and regional specialty coffee culture, while also promoting mindfulness in coffee consumption.(Bucharest, Romania)

Tue, 30 Sep – The Barista League: Africa 2025 lines up in Johannesburg. On 4 October, 20 barista teams from across the African continent will compete in a fast-paced format combining drinks and sensory challenges. Judges include Stevo Kühn (2025 Africa Barista Champion), Leroy Kgopa, and Obakeng “Tiny” Tshabalala. (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Tue, 30 Sep – !Fest Coffee Mission opens office in Argentina. The direct trade importer launched its new Buenos Aires hub during Exigí Buen Café, showcasing exclusive lots and fostering connections. The space will host cuppings, roaster meetups, and community initiatives. (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Wed, 1 Oct – Spanish AeroPress Championship 2025 set for 25 October. The national qualifier will take place during the Madrid Café Festival (CAFÉFÍ) and select a barista to represent Spain at the World AeroPress Championship, featuring classes, demos, and a specialty coffee showcase. (Madrid, Spain)

Wed, 1 Oct – SEB Professional Beverage to unveil WMF trio and multi-brand line for HostMilano. The group will showcase compact WMF Perfection Office, Elevation 10 and Peak 50 (40–80 cups/day), alongside Schaerer, Curtis, La San Marco and Zummo concepts. (Milan, Italy)

Thu, 2 Oct – Thermoplan will unveil new lines at HostMilano. The brand will showcase the Mikafi roaster, ThermoplanConnect 2.0 telemetry, AirSteam and AutoSteam milk technology, a dual-milk Black&White4C option, and modular mechanics to reduce downtime and support high-volume operations during the event, which will run from 17 to 21 October. (Milan, Italy)

Fri, 3 Oct – Voting opens for the European Coffee & Hospitality Awards 2025. The winners will be revealed at a black-tie gala on 25 November, during the COHO Expo. EC&HA will present the prizewinners selected from a Top 150 shortlist across 15 categories, with five new awards recognising sustainability and innovation, and attendance from leading industry figures. (Berlin, Germany)

Thu, 2 Oct – hkoffee to showcase IoT coffee-machine tools at HostMilano. Plug and play hardware links coffee machines and grinders to dashboards for predictive maintenance, consumption analytics and quality control, reducing downtime and proving clearer ROI. (Milan, Italy)

Fri, 3 Oct – Victoria Arduino to showcase Black Eagle Maverick at HostMilano. Core and Maverick models prioritise energy efficiency, refined thermal control, and filter-style extraction, with design updates to enhance thermal performance and daily productivity. (Belforte del Chienti, Italy)

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

Mon, 22 Sep – Eversys to debut new booth concept at HostMilano. Eversys will unveil a pavilion concept featuring Legacy+ machines that combine technology and premium design. The showcase includes Shotmasters-crafted coffee cocktails, daily latte art performances, and new telemetry tools for real-time performance insights. (Sierre, Switzerland)

Thu, 25 Sep – Cotti Coffee opens first Tennessee café. The debut outlet marks the brand’s extension beyond Florida into Tennessee. The café features mochas, nitro lattes, signature blends, and “cloud” drinks with nitrous-frothed milk. (Murfreesboro, Tennessee, US)